Post-traumatic stress disorder following acute trauma frequently presents in primary care settings but remains under recognized and under-treated, particularly when comorbid conditions complicate the clinical picture. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman with pre-existing hypertension who developed PTSD after surviving a two month kidnapping. She presented with nightmares, sleep disturbance, and guilt lasting two months after her release, meeting DSM-5 criteria for PTSD despite initial reluctance to seek care. Coordinated management by the author (family physician), clinical psychologist and psychiatrist, including pharmacotherapy with fluoxetine, lisinopril and a thiazide-based antihypertensive regimen, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and psychosocial support, resulted in complete symptom resolution within eight months. Blood pressure control improved concurrently with mental health treatment. This case highlights the importance of first-contact assessment by the family physician, timely psychiatric referral, and integrated care coordination for patients with psychological trauma and chronic disease. Early recognition and coordinated intervention after trauma can prevent PTSD development and optimize long-term outcomes.

Keywords: post-traumatic stress disorder, family practice, care coordination, hypertension, cognitive behavioral therapy.