Recognizing, Treating, and Supporting Those Affected by Trauma
By Responsible Healthcare, LLC
Published: June 18, 2025
Understanding PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can affect anyone—regardless of age, gender, or background. It occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as war, physical or emotional abuse, serious injury, natural disasters, or sudden loss.
At Responsible Healthcare, we recognize that mental health is foundational to total health. PTSD is not a sign of weakness—it is a natural human response to extraordinary stress (American Psychiatric Association, 2023).
Signs and Symptoms
PTSD symptoms can disrupt a person’s ability to live, work, and connect with others. The most common symptoms fall into four categories:
- Intrusive Thoughts: Flashbacks, nightmares, or distressing memories
- Avoidance: Avoiding places, people, or conversations related to the trauma
- Negative Thinking: Guilt, shame, depression, or feeling detached
- Hyperarousal: Anger, insomnia, and feeling easily startled or “on edge”
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2022), symptoms usually begin within three months of the trauma but may appear later and must last more than a month to meet PTSD criteria.
Who is Affected?
While PTSD is often associated with military personnel or first responders, it can impact anyone—including caregivers, survivors of violence, accident victims, and even children. Women are statistically more likely to experience PTSD, often due to increased exposure to interpersonal trauma (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2022).
Treatment and Hope
PTSD is treatable. Evidence-based treatments include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Medication, particularly antidepressants like SSRIs
- Peer support groups and family education
Early treatment improves outcomes. Trauma-informed care is essential—not just in mental health clinics, but in homes, workplaces, and caregiving environments. At Responsible Healthcare, our services emphasize whole-person support and respect for every individual’s lived experience.
Supporting Someone with PTSD
If someone you care for may be experiencing PTSD:
- Listen without judgment and validate their feelings
- Avoid pressure to “move on” or “be strong”
- Encourage them to seek help, and offer to assist in connecting with a licensed provider
- Respect boundaries and create a safe, calm environment
Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, but with time, support, and care, it does happen.
We’re Here to Help
Responsible Healthcare offers trauma-informed care coordination, mental health referrals, caregiver education, and direct support services. If you or someone in your care may be struggling with PTSD, contact us at info@responsiblehealthcare.org or call our team at (803) 329-2273.
Together, we can promote healing—one step at a time.
Emergency Support
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Help is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2023). What is PTSD? Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022). PTSD in Women Veterans. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/related/women_veterans.asp
- National Center for PTSD. (2023). PTSD Treatment Basics. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/tx_basics.asp