Trauma is common in girls; five out of ten girls experience a traumatic event. Girls have a tendency to experience different traumas than men. While both women and men report the exact same symptoms of PTSD (hyperarousal, reexperiencing, avoidance, and numbing), some symptoms are more common for women or men.
History
Most early info on trauma and PTSD came from studies of male Veterans, largely Vietnam Veterans. Researchers began to examine the effects of sexual assault and found that women's reactions were similar to male battle Veterans. Women's experiences of trauma can also cause PTSD.
Hazard of experiencing injury
Findings from a large national mental health study reveal that a little more than half of all women will experience a minumum of one traumatic event in their own life. Women are somewhat less likely to experience trauma than guys. The most frequent injury for girls is sexual assault or child sexual abuse. About one in three girls will experience a sexual assault in their life. Speeds of sexual assault are higher for women than men. Girls are also more prone to be neglected or abused in youth, to experience domestic violence, or to have a loved one unexpectedly die.
What occurs after injury
After a trauma, some girls start drinking or using drugs may feel depressed, or develop PTSD.
Girls are more likely to experience sexual assault.
Sexual assault is more likely to cause PTSD than many other events.
Women may be more likely to blame themselves for injury experiences than guys.
Why are some girls at higher risk for PTSD?
Not all women who experience a traumatic occasion develop PTSD. Women are more likely to develop PTSD if they:
Have a previous mental health issue (for example depression or anxiety)
Experienced an extremely serious or life threatening injury
Were assaulted
Were injured during the event
Had a severe response at that time of the occasion
Experienced other stressful occasions afterwards
Do not have good social support
What PTSD is like for women
Some PTSD symptoms are more common in girls than men. Girls are more prone to avoid things that remind them of the trauma than guys, to have more trouble feeling emotions, and to be jumpy. Guys are more than likely to have trouble controlling their anger then PTSD child abuse women and to feel upset. Girls with PTSD are prone to feel apprehensive and depressed, while guys with PTSD are more prone to have difficulties with drugs or alcohol.
Treatment for PTSD
There are good treatments for PTSD. Nevertheless, not everybody who experiences a trauma seeks treatment. Girls may be more likely than men to seek help after a distressing event. A minumum of one study found that women react to treatment as well as or better than men. This might be because women are usually more comfortable sharing feelings and talking with others than men about private things.
Girls in the military
Now, about 15% of all military personnel in Iraq are girls. A growing number of girls are now being subjected to battle although men are somewhat more likely to experience combat.
