PTSD: National Center for PTSD

How can I help?

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You want to help someone you care about if they have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But PTSD symptoms can make people less happy or "on edge." They may have a hard time at work or at school. And they may pull away from you, even if you are family or a close friend. This section includes information to help you support a family member or friend with PTSD. There is also information about how you can help someone during specific PTSD treatments.

Helping a Loved One

• Helping a Family Member Who Has PTSD
  PTSD can be hard on families. Changes in one person often greatly impact other family members. Learn ways to help a family member who has PTSD and tips for taking care of yourself.
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Helping During Treatment
  Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based therapy for PTSD. CPT helps people change upsetting thoughts and feelings they’ve had since the trauma. Learn what to expect and how you can support a loved one during treatment.
• Prolonged Exposure (PE): Helping During Treatment
  Prolonged Exposure (PE) is an evidence-based therapy for PTSD. PE helps people gradually approach situations they’ve avoided since the trauma. Learn how you can support a loved one during treatment.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Helping During Treatment
  EMDR is an evidence-based therapy for PTSD. EMDR helps people process their trauma while paying attention to back-and-forth movements or sounds. Learn how you can support a loved one during treatment.
• Written Exposure Therapy (WET): Helping During Treatment
  WET is an evidence-based therapy for PTSD. WET helps people find new ways to think about a trauma and what it means through writing. Learn how you can support a loved one during treatment.
• Grief: Helping Someone Else After a Loss
  Learn strategies to support someone grieving a loss.

Helping a Veteran Get Needed Care

• Help a Veteran Get Needed Care
  If you notice a difference in a Veteran you care about, you may not know how to talk about it. Learn some tips and resources to help you talk to a Veteran about getting care for PTSD.

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