Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns and SymptomsHow PTSD Differs in WomenComplications and ComorbiditiesWhy Women Experience PTSD DifferentlyCommon Myths or Misconceptions

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Table of Contents

Signs and Symptoms

How PTSD Differs in Women

Complications and Comorbidities

Why Women Experience PTSD Differently

Common Myths or Misconceptions

Close

Research suggests that women may experience some symptoms ofpost-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) differently than men. They are also more likely to develop the condition following trauma, but it usually takes much longer for women to be diagnosed.

Statistics suggest that women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD at some point in their lives. They also tend to experience these symptoms for longer periods and are more sensitive to reminders of their trauma.

Learn more about some of the key signs of PTSD in women. Recognizing these signs can lead to an earlier diagnosis, which can help relieve an individual’s distress and improve treatment outcomes.

It’s normal to feel upset, anxious, or frightened after something traumatic happens. For many people, such feelings gradually fade in the days and weeks after a traumatic event, but these symptoms can become more serious for others.

People who have PTSD also have an increased risk for suicide.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

A 2015 study published in theJournal of Anxiety Disordersfound that women experience more distress than men on almost all symptoms identified on the PTSD Checklist, Civilian Version (PCL-C).The PTSD Checklist is a self-report scale containing 17 items that correspond to the key symptoms of PTSD.

Some symptoms that seem to be more common in women with this condition include:

Avoidance

One study found that thought avoidance was one of the most common PTSD symptoms among women.

While this avoidance may prevent distress in the short term, research suggests that trying to avoid thoughts or emotions can actually make PTSD symptoms worse over the long term.

Hyperarousal

Hyperarousalis another key symptom of PTSD that involves a heightened state of anxiety. Symptoms can include:

Research has found that women who developed PTSD after serving in the military score higher on measures of hyperarousal than men.

Re-experiencing the Trauma

Re-experiencingis another major symptom of PTSD that involves experiencing unwanted, intrusive thoughts or memories related to the trauma.Some of the ways people might experience this include having frequent thoughts about the trauma, experiencing nightmares, or having flashbacks where it feels as if the trauma is happening all over again.

Research suggests that women tend to experience this symptom more frequently than men.

These symptoms can be distressing and frightening, particularly because people may be unable to recognize that what they are experiencing is a flashback.

Because re-experiencing feels all too real, people have the physical and emotional responses they would face if dealing with a real threat.

Emotional Numbness

It is a common symptom of PTSD where it serves as a way to avoid the painful thoughts or memories related to trauma.

Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Other conditions may be confused with PTSD or may even occur alongside the condition. Such conditions may include:

It is not uncommon for people who have PTSD to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or other substances.

Regardless of the different reasons why women may experience PTSD differently, research suggests that many women wait longer to seek treatment or never seek treatment at all.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, men typically go a year after the condition’s onset before being diagnosed and starting treatment. Women, on the other hand, average four years between the start of symptoms and diagnosis.

Untreated PTSD can have serious consequences in terms of both physical and mental health. People with untreated PTSD may be more likely to rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or substance use. Women may also experience physical symptoms such as stomach issues, sexual dysfunction, and headaches.

How PTSD Is Treated

While mental health awareness has helped many people better understand conditions such as PTSD, there is still a tremendous amount ofstigmasurrounding the condition. Such stigma often arises due to the number of myths and misconceptions about the disorder. Some common myths include:

Myth: Only Combat Veterans Get PTSD

Anyone can get PTSD after a traumatic event, not just those who have served in the military and experienced combat. Sexual assault, domestic violence, natural disasters, and child abuse are all situations that can cause PTSD. Sometimes people don’t need to actually experience the trauma themselves. Witnessing a traumatic event can also lead to the onset of the condition.

Myth: It Will Get Better With Time

While people often say that pain lessens with time, this isn’t always the case. Some of the symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety and avoidance, can actually grow worse over time. This is why getting an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are so important. Symptoms of PTSD can be debilitating and take a serious toll on a person’s well-being.

Myth: People With PTSD Are Violent

While some people do experience anger and irritability as symptoms of PTSD, it is important to recognize that the way people experience this condition varies from one person to the next. The symptoms of PTSD can be incredibly distressing, painful, and challenging for several reasons. This doesn’t mean that people who have the condition are violent or pose a danger to others.

Myth: It’s a Sign of Weakness

People often don’t seek help for PTSD and other mental health conditions because they think that their symptoms are a sign of failure or weakness. It is important to know that having PTSD after trauma does not mean that you are weaker than other people.

Anyone can develop the condition because it is linked to changes in how the brain works. These changes are not something you can control, nor usewillpowerto overcome.

Myth: PTSD Cannot Be Treated

Effective treatments for PTSD are available and includecognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT),psychodynamic therapy, and medications.

If you or a loved one have experienced a stressful or traumatic event, it is important to watch for signs of PTSD. Because women may experience more internalizing symptoms, the signs of the condition may be harder to spot.

Only a licensed professional can diagnose the condition, so reach out to a professional if you are having symptoms. Once you receive a diagnosis, your therapist can work with you to develop a treatment plan that will help you learn to cope with the trauma and improve your well-being.

Coping With PTSD

11 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Facts about women and trauma.Krysinska K, Lester D.Post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide risk: a systematic review.Arch Suicide Res. 2010;14(1):1-23. doi:10.1080/13811110903478997Hourani L, Williams J, Bray R, Kandel D.Gender differences in the expression of PTSD symptoms among active duty military personnel.J Anxiety Disord. 2015 Jan;29:101-8. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.11.007U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Avoidance.Pineles SL, Mostoufi SM, Ready CB, Street AE, Griffin MG, Resick PA.Trauma reactivity, avoidant coping, and PTSD symptoms: a moderating relationship?J Abnorm Psychol. 2011;120(1):240-246. doi:10.1037/a0022123Brewin CR.Re-experiencing traumatic events in PTSD: new avenues in research on intrusive memories and flashbacks.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2015;6:27180. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v6.27180NIMH.Post-traumatic stress disorder.Bisson JI, Cosgrove S, Lewis C, Roberts NP.Post-traumatic stress disorder.BMJ. 2015:h6161. doi:10.1136/bmj.h6161Scott JC, Pietrzak RH, Mattocks K, Southwick SM, Brandt C, Haskell S.Gender differences in the correlates of hazardous drinking among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2013;127(1-3):15-22. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.06.003King MW, Street AE, Gradus JL, Vogt DS, Resick PA.Gender differences in posttraumatic stress symptoms among oef/oif veterans: an item response theory analysis: gender differences in veterans’ ptsd symptoms.Journal of Traumatic Stress. 2013;26(2):175-183. doi:10.1002/jts.21802U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.

11 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Facts about women and trauma.Krysinska K, Lester D.Post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide risk: a systematic review.Arch Suicide Res. 2010;14(1):1-23. doi:10.1080/13811110903478997Hourani L, Williams J, Bray R, Kandel D.Gender differences in the expression of PTSD symptoms among active duty military personnel.J Anxiety Disord. 2015 Jan;29:101-8. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.11.007U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Avoidance.Pineles SL, Mostoufi SM, Ready CB, Street AE, Griffin MG, Resick PA.Trauma reactivity, avoidant coping, and PTSD symptoms: a moderating relationship?J Abnorm Psychol. 2011;120(1):240-246. doi:10.1037/a0022123Brewin CR.Re-experiencing traumatic events in PTSD: new avenues in research on intrusive memories and flashbacks.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2015;6:27180. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v6.27180NIMH.Post-traumatic stress disorder.Bisson JI, Cosgrove S, Lewis C, Roberts NP.Post-traumatic stress disorder.BMJ. 2015:h6161. doi:10.1136/bmj.h6161Scott JC, Pietrzak RH, Mattocks K, Southwick SM, Brandt C, Haskell S.Gender differences in the correlates of hazardous drinking among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2013;127(1-3):15-22. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.06.003King MW, Street AE, Gradus JL, Vogt DS, Resick PA.Gender differences in posttraumatic stress symptoms among oef/oif veterans: an item response theory analysis: gender differences in veterans’ ptsd symptoms.Journal of Traumatic Stress. 2013;26(2):175-183. doi:10.1002/jts.21802U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.Facts about women and trauma.Krysinska K, Lester D.Post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide risk: a systematic review.Arch Suicide Res. 2010;14(1):1-23. doi:10.1080/13811110903478997Hourani L, Williams J, Bray R, Kandel D.Gender differences in the expression of PTSD symptoms among active duty military personnel.J Anxiety Disord. 2015 Jan;29:101-8. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.11.007U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Avoidance.Pineles SL, Mostoufi SM, Ready CB, Street AE, Griffin MG, Resick PA.Trauma reactivity, avoidant coping, and PTSD symptoms: a moderating relationship?J Abnorm Psychol. 2011;120(1):240-246. doi:10.1037/a0022123Brewin CR.Re-experiencing traumatic events in PTSD: new avenues in research on intrusive memories and flashbacks.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2015;6:27180. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v6.27180NIMH.Post-traumatic stress disorder.Bisson JI, Cosgrove S, Lewis C, Roberts NP.Post-traumatic stress disorder.BMJ. 2015:h6161. doi:10.1136/bmj.h6161Scott JC, Pietrzak RH, Mattocks K, Southwick SM, Brandt C, Haskell S.Gender differences in the correlates of hazardous drinking among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2013;127(1-3):15-22. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.06.003King MW, Street AE, Gradus JL, Vogt DS, Resick PA.Gender differences in posttraumatic stress symptoms among oef/oif veterans: an item response theory analysis: gender differences in veterans’ ptsd symptoms.Journal of Traumatic Stress. 2013;26(2):175-183. doi:10.1002/jts.21802U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.

American Psychological Association.Facts about women and trauma.

Krysinska K, Lester D.Post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide risk: a systematic review.Arch Suicide Res. 2010;14(1):1-23. doi:10.1080/13811110903478997

Hourani L, Williams J, Bray R, Kandel D.Gender differences in the expression of PTSD symptoms among active duty military personnel.J Anxiety Disord. 2015 Jan;29:101-8. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.11.007

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Avoidance.

Pineles SL, Mostoufi SM, Ready CB, Street AE, Griffin MG, Resick PA.Trauma reactivity, avoidant coping, and PTSD symptoms: a moderating relationship?J Abnorm Psychol. 2011;120(1):240-246. doi:10.1037/a0022123

Brewin CR.Re-experiencing traumatic events in PTSD: new avenues in research on intrusive memories and flashbacks.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2015;6:27180. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v6.27180

NIMH.Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Bisson JI, Cosgrove S, Lewis C, Roberts NP.Post-traumatic stress disorder.BMJ. 2015:h6161. doi:10.1136/bmj.h6161

Scott JC, Pietrzak RH, Mattocks K, Southwick SM, Brandt C, Haskell S.Gender differences in the correlates of hazardous drinking among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2013;127(1-3):15-22. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.06.003

King MW, Street AE, Gradus JL, Vogt DS, Resick PA.Gender differences in posttraumatic stress symptoms among oef/oif veterans: an item response theory analysis: gender differences in veterans’ ptsd symptoms.Journal of Traumatic Stress. 2013;26(2):175-183. doi:10.1002/jts.21802

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.

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