What PTSD Looks Like in Women

PTSD doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t target one gender over another. Anyone who has been through a traumatic event or experience can struggle with both the immediate and lasting effects of the condition. 

However, men and women with PTSD may present their symptoms differently. 

Men with PTSD might try to hide their symptoms or even ignore them, struggling in silence with things like flashbacks and bad memories. A lot of that has to do with the stigma still surrounding men’s mental health. 

So, what does PTSD look like in women? 

A Heightened Flight or Fight Response

Everyone has a natural response to scary or threatening situations. But, a woman with PTSD might feel like their flight or fight response is always on high alert. They’re likely to be easily startled and on edge. The slightest thing might frighten them or cause them to become anxious, even if it’s not a realistic threat or worry. 

Obviously, living with that kind of stress and underlying fear can cause a variety of mental health issues. So, it’s common for women with PTSD to also develop anxiety. 

Unfortunately, anxiety can create a sort of vicious cycle. The more anxious you are, the more heightened your fear will be. The more “on edge” you are about bad things happening, the more anxious you’ll become. 

Being able to break that cycle of anxiety and constant tension is essential to eventually overcoming PTSD and taking control of your thoughts. 

Avoidance and Numbness

PTSD can wreak havoc on everyone’s lives. While men might try to ignore their emotions, women are more likely to try to avoid them or “go numb” with their feelings. It’s a defense mechanism, and it’s not really something that’s done consciously. Rather, it’s your brain’s way of protecting itself from reliving the trauma. 

This kind of dissociation from your own feelings can make you feel empty and depressed. Like anxiety, that creates a vicious cycle that can make you withdraw from family and friends. It can even make you step away from things you typically enjoy. Withdrawal makes it much easier for those negative thoughts to take hold, and you’re likely to find yourself teetering back and forth between fear and emptiness. 

Reexperiencing the Trauma 

Both men and women with PTSD tend to deal with flashbacks and memories of the traumatic experience they had to go through. For women, that can include things like terrifying thoughts, nightmares, or even feelings of physical pain associated with the experience. These flashbacks can lead to difficulty sleeping, often creating more anxiety and depression. 

It can also cause women to avoid certain situations, places, or even people. Trauma triggers are very real and can end up de-railing a person’s progress as they try to move forward. While avoiding certain triggers can help to alleviate symptoms on a short-term basis, it’s no way to live the rest of your life, wondering and worrying about what’s around every corner. 

Changes in Mood

It’s not uncommon for women to experience cognitive changes when dealing with PTSD. Things like angry outbursts, negative thoughts about yourself (or the world), or sudden mood swings are all symptoms. 

You might also struggle with feelings of guilt or shame about the event, even if it had nothing to do with you. That can become cyclical, too. The more you blame yourself, the more depressed you’re likely to become, and it will be easier for those negative intrusive thoughts to win. 

What Can You Do?

The first step in healing from PTSD is to recognize that you’re struggling with it. Don’t ignore or try to avoid the symptoms. Instead, acknowledge what you’re going through. Then, reach out for help. 

No one has to go through this condition alone. Lean on friends and family for support. But, most importantly, seek out professional help. Working with a therapist is often the best way to dig into the root of your trauma and learn effective techniques to overcome it.  Reach out to learn more about trauma therapy