PTSD can follow different traumatic experiences and may not be visible to others. Reactions and support needs vary between people.
Listen without demanding a detailed trauma account or dismissing symptoms. Ask what practical help is welcome and respect boundaries. A healthcare professional can help assess symptoms and discuss treatment.
Some people use a service dog trained in disability-related tasks, such as waking them, retrieving a phone or summoning help. A comforting presence alone is not an ADA task, and a dog does not replace treatment or guarantee an alert.
The original article’s outdated suicide rate and claims that a study of wheelchair users proved reduced medication and healthcare costs for PTSD have been removed. Its description of house-checking tasks should not be read as a security guarantee.
For crisis support in the United States, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or its online chat. For immediate danger, contact emergency services.