What Does PTSD Look Like For Women?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition both men and women face. It is triggered by an acutely stressful event or prolonged situation. It can affect anyone who has been exposed to trauma, including members of the military, survivors of natural disasters, victims of violent crimes and those who have suffered significant personal losses.
PTSD can manifest through a variety of symptoms, including flashbacks, severe anxiety, nightmares and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Because of the way they experience emotions and perceive the world around them, women tend to experience PTSD differently than men.
What causes PTSD?
“Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events or set of circumstances. An individual may experience this as emotionally or physically harmful or life-threatening and may affect mental, physical, social, and spiritual well-being. …PTSD can occur in all people of any ethnicity, nationality, or culture and at any age. PTSD affects approximately 3.5 percent of U.S. adults every year. …Women are twice as likely as men to have PTSD.”
Causes of PTSD include suffering through a natural disaster, intimate partner violence, traumatic accidents or military service, but whether or not a woman develops PTSD is dependent on a variety of factors. At its core, PTSD is caused by exposure to a traumatic event, but not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD; individual susceptibility can vary widely.
Several risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing PTSD, including:
- Severity and duration – More severe and prolonged exposure to traumatic events can heighten the risk of developing PTSD, as seen in combat veterans or survivors of protracted physical abuse
- Pre-existing mental health conditions – Individuals with a mental health condition like depression or anxiety are more likely to develop PTSD following a traumatic event
- Genetic predisposition – Genetics can play a role in the development of PTSD and those with a family history of mental health disorders may be more vulnerable
- Lack of social support – Social support systems can help reduce the development of PTSD following a traumatic event, so women who lack support from loved ones are at a greater risk
- Personality traits – Certain personality traits, such as a tendency towards pessimism or viewing the world as a dangerous place, can increase risk
- Neurobiological factors – Abnormalities in the functioning of the hippocampus (involved in memory processing) and the amygdala (involved in fear responses) have been linked to the disorder
PTSD can have a profound impact on a woman’s daily life, affecting her ability to function at work, maintain relationships and enjoy life. The condition can also lead to other mental health issues, such as depression, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.
Signs of PTSD in women
Women may exhibit a range of symptoms when suffering from PTSD. These can generally be categorized into four main types: re-experiencing, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
1. Re-experiencing symptoms may manifest in any of the following:
- Intrusive memories – Recurrent, unwanted, distressing memories of the traumatic event
- Flashbacks –Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again
- Nightmares – Frequent distressing dreams related to the trauma
- Severe emotional distress – Intense emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the traumatic event (places, scenarios or items)
2. Avoidance symptoms include:
- Avoiding reminders – Women may avoid places, activities or people that remind them of the traumatic event
- Emotional numbing – Feeling detached from others and experiencing difficulty in maintaining close relationships
- Diminished interest – Reduced participation in activities once enjoyed
3. Negative changes in thinking and mood may present in women as:
- Negative thoughts and beliefs about oneself, others or the world
- Hopelessness/feelings of despair about the future
- Memory problems, where one has trouble remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
- Emotional distress, including feelings of guilt, shame or self-blame related to the trauma
4. Changes in physical and emotional reactions, including:
- Hyperarousal, that is, constantly feeling on edge, being easily startled or hypervigilant
- Uncharacteristic irritability or angry outbursts
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Trouble focusing on tasks
While not every woman will display these symptoms, it is not uncommon for more than one of the above to be present in those battling PTSD.
Differences in PTSD in women vs. men
Although both men and women can develop PTSD, the way they experience and cope with the disorder differs. Women are more likely to experience certain types of traumatic events, such as sexual assault or domestic violence, which can influence the nature and severity of PTSD symptoms.
Studies suggest that women are more likely to develop PTSD than men. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 10% of women will experience PTSD at some point in their lives compared to 4% of men. Additionally, women are more likely to experience interpersonal violence such as sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence. These types of trauma can be particularly damaging because they often involve a breach of trust and safety in close relationships.
Women with PTSD are more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety and numbing, as well as experience more frequent and intense feelings of guilt and shame. Women are also more likely to use avoidance behaviors and dissociation as coping mechanisms, which can manifest as withdrawal and isolation, leading to feeling disconnected from themselves and their surroundings.
On the positive side, women are generally more likely to seek treatment for PTSD than men. They might be more open to discussing their feelings and more willing to participate in therapy, a crucial aspect of proper recovery.
Ready to recover?
If a woman in your life is looking for PTSD treatment, October Road is here to help. Call our offices anytime at 888-201-5086 or fill out an online contact form to get started on your recovery journey today.
