If you know someone who has PTSD, it affects you too. The irst and most important thing you can do to help a friend or relative is to help him or her get the right diagnosis and treatment. You may need to make an appointment for your friend or relative and go with him or her to see the doctor. Encourage him or her to stay in treatment, or to seek differ ent treatment if his or her symptoms don’t get better after 6 to 8 weeks.