PTSD can impact anyone. If you’ve been through a traumatic experience—as a child or adult—it’s not uncommon to deal with symptoms like flashbacks and fear. But, like other mental health conditions, PTSD symptoms can differ between men and women. While PTSD doesn’t change based on sex, it’s how men and women respond to these events that make the difference.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how some common PTSD symptoms differ in women. If you’ve experienced a traumatic event, understanding your symptoms and learning how to work through them can make a big difference in your healing process.
What Are the Common Signs of PTSD in Women?
Men and women experience many of the same symptoms when it comes to PTSD. Some of the most common include:
Being easily frightened
Difficulty sleeping
Feelings of guilt or shame
Trouble concentrating
Always feeling like you might be in danger
However, studies have shown that men who are dealing with PTSD tend to have more anger issues than women. They might have a hard time controlling that anger, so their irritability comes through more frequently.
Women, on the other hand, are more likely to experience anxiety and depression as a result of PTSD. They’re also more likely to be easily startled and frightened.
Why Are Women Affected Differently?
First, it’s important to note that more women deal with PTSD than men. About 10% of women will experience it in their lifetime, compared to 4% of men. Why is that? There are a few reasons why women might experience more PTSD than men. Unfortunately, it’s largely because they’re often in more traumatic situations. Women are more likely to experience sexual assault and domestic violence. They’re also more likely to blame themselves and feel extreme guilt after going through a traumatic event. Those thoughts can impact symptoms.
Because women tend to experience these events more often, it’s also easier for women to be triggered. For example, if you’ve been a victim of sexual assault, you might be triggered by something like walking home alone at night or certain parts of a “bad” neighborhood. You might even be afraid or anxious around men.
Most women tend to avoid activities or situations that remind them of what they went through. While that can be used as a protective measure, it also can greatly hinder your quality of life. It can keep you from truly living, and it can “chain” your identity to the trauma you experienced.
What Can You Do?
If you’ve been through a traumatic experience as a woman and you believe you might have PTSD, the best thing you can do is to receive an official diagnosis.
Having a mental health condition like PTSD is nothing to be ashamed of. Women tend to feel like they need to be “perfect” or fit into certain stereotypes. You don’t have to hold everything together or carry the world on your shoulders. Getting a diagnosis, admitting something is wrong, and getting the help you need is essential for your well-being.
Treatment for PTSD can vary from person to person. However, therapy is often the best option. As you work with a mental health professional, you’ll get to the root cause of your PTSD and learn how to manage your symptoms. Over time, you’ll also develop the skills needed to overcome that fear and fight back against flashbacks, and you’ll see your symptoms start to weaken.
It’s important to remember that PTSD doesn’t define who you are. Going through a traumatic experience isn’t your fault, and it doesn’t need to shape your life. Feel free to contact me to set up an appointment soon for trauma therapy or women’s counseling.
