1. PTSD is not a mental disorder exclusive to military service members. 
2. PTSD is a serious potentially debilitating condition that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist incident, sudden death of a loved one, war, violent personal assault such as rape, or other life-threatening events. There are currently about 8 million people in the United States living with PTSD. (adaa.org)
3. A diagnosis of PTSD can only happen after certain symptoms ​for at least a month. These are at least one re-experiencing symptom (traumatic event)  at least one avoidance symptom, at least two arousal and reactivity symptoms, and at least two cognition and mood symptoms.
4. The goal of PTSD treatment is to reduce the emotional and physical symptoms, to improve daily functioning, and to help the person better manage with the event that triggered the disorder.
5. PTSD can be broken down into 4 different categories: 
   1. Reliving:  repeatedly reliving the trauma through thoughts and memories. These may include flashbacks and nightmares.  They also may feel great distress when certain things remind them of the trauma, such as the anniversary date of the event.
   2. Avoiding: The person may avoid people, places, thoughts, or situations that may remind them of the trauma. This can lead to feelings of detachment and isolation from family and friends.
   3. Increased arousal: These include excessive emotions; problems relating to others, including feeling or showing affection; difficulty falling or staying asleep; irritability; outbursts of anger; difficulty concentrating; and being "jumpy" or easily startled. The person may also suffer physical symptoms also.  
   4. Negative cognition's and mood: This refers to thoughts and feelings related to blame, estrangement, and memories of the traumatic event.

  Now that we are equipped with these facts, let's talk about providing support for our community of friends and family who live with PTSD. First, ask how you can support. Each individual, literally has a different brain and processes PTSD differently. So, ask how you may support. Second, please do not pressure them into talking if they do not want to. This may be a trigger. Third, educate yourself on PTSD; thankfully, there are many resources like: NAMI, PTSD.va.gov, and many more. And last, please understand that PTSD does not only affect our brave service members. This illness has no face, no color, no blood type, no job description, and no two brains are a like.