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What Are the Symptoms of PTSD in Women?

Meshell Powell
Meshell Powell

Symptoms of PTSD in women can be similar to those in men, although there are typically some marked differences. Women are more likely to experience repeated flashbacks of the traumatic event, which almost always involves some sort of personal abuse. There may be a constant fear of the trauma occurring again and a more heightened awareness of immediate surroundings. Some women may have difficulty sleeping because of this overwhelming fear and may develop additional mental health disorders, such as chronic anxiety or depression. Some of the additional symptoms of PTSD in women may include an inability to trust, improper or exaggerated responses to stimuli, and alcohol or drug addiction.

Women who have suffered from a traumatic event such as rape or some other vicious attack often live in a state of constant fear. In fact, this overwhelming sense of fear is one of the most common symptoms of PTSD in women. It may become difficult for a woman with this disorder to have a healthy social life because she is convinced that there is danger lurking at every corner. If the perpetrator was a male, she may begin to view all males as a very real threat to her safety, resulting in relationship difficulties.

Depression can be a serious symptom of PTSD.
Depression can be a serious symptom of PTSD.

Insomnia is frequently reported as one of the primary symptoms of PTSD in women. A woman who has been physically attacked in the past may interpret every little noise that she hears at night as someone attempting to break in and harm her again. This unrelenting anxiety will often spill over into everyday life, causing the affected woman to jump at every noise or overreact to situations because she always feels on edge. She may be aware of her tendency to overreact and fear rejection from others, adding to her feelings of isolation.

Women who have PTSD are more likely to experience traumatic flashback than men.
Women who have PTSD are more likely to experience traumatic flashback than men.

Depression can be among the most dangerous symptoms of PTSD in women. Feelings of fear, anxiety, and isolation can cause a woman with this disorder to feel depressed and hopeless. She may even begin to feel guilty and convince herself that the trauma was somehow her fault or that she should have been strong enough to prevent it. Severe depression may lead to alcohol or drug addiction as the woman begins to grasp for any way to lessen the pain, even if only for a moment. Suicidal thoughts or actions are not uncommon among women with severe cases of post-traumatic stress disorder.

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    • Depression can be a serious symptom of PTSD.
      By: Alexander Raths
      Depression can be a serious symptom of PTSD.
    • Women who have PTSD are more likely to experience traumatic flashback than men.
      By: John Gomez
      Women who have PTSD are more likely to experience traumatic flashback than men.
    • Women may experience PTSD following an abusive relationship.
      By: bertys30
      Women may experience PTSD following an abusive relationship.
    • Practicing yoga may help reduce trauma symptoms in women suffering from PTSD.
      By: magann
      Practicing yoga may help reduce trauma symptoms in women suffering from PTSD.
    • Feelings of fear, anxiety, and isolation can cause a woman with PTSD to feel depressed and hopeless.
      By: vladimirfloyd
      Feelings of fear, anxiety, and isolation can cause a woman with PTSD to feel depressed and hopeless.
    • Depression in women that's caused by PTSD can lead to alcohol abuse.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Depression in women that's caused by PTSD can lead to alcohol abuse.
    • PTSD can cause people to have a fragile emotional state.
      By: Monkey Business
      PTSD can cause people to have a fragile emotional state.
    • Women who have suffered from a traumatic event often live in a constant state of fear.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Women who have suffered from a traumatic event often live in a constant state of fear.