According to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA), between seven and eight percent of the population will suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD during their lifetimes. A common misconception about PTSD is that it only affects veterans. However, the disorder actually affects people of all walks of life and presents itself differently in men than it does in women. Understanding the PTSD symptoms in women can go a long way toward helping people recognize this disorder and getting the proper help from a PTSD treatment center in Tampa, FL.
What is PTSD?
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines PTSD as “a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.” This traumatic event can be anything from combat to natural disasters. Crime victims may experience PTSD as well and this may explain why women are twice as likely as men to develop it.
Females are often overlooked when diagnosing this condition. Fortunately, more professionals are learning to recognize the symptoms of PTSD in women.
The Link Between PTSD and Addiction
Post-traumatic stress often leads people to self-medicate by using drugs or alcohol. Even those who have never used before may suddenly find they simply cannot deal with the effects. As such, anyone who suffers from PTSD is also at risk of developing a drug or alcohol addiction.
Some research indicates that people have fewer endorphins in their brain following a traumatic event. Endorphins are what gives you a feeling of happiness and sense of well-being. Anxiety and depression may result and are other factors that make it more likely someone will abuse illicit substances.
Common PTSD Symptoms in Women
When it comes to PTSD, some symptoms remain common among both men and women. These include reliving the traumatic experience through nightmares, flashbacks, or hallucinations. These experiences may result in insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns, particularly when they involve nightmares. However, women may display certain symptoms more frequently than men, including:
- Avoiding situations that remind them of or are similar to that of the traumatic event
- Being startled easily
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Depression
Women often wait to seek treatment for trauma and may suffer from PTSD longer than men as a result. If you or a loved one displays any of the PTSD symptoms in women, do not hesitate to reach out.
Our Programs
Aside from identifying the different PTSD symptoms in women, we also provide a number of other programs to help you get and stay sober, including:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Mental health treatment
- Hospital services
- Medical detox
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Young adult rehab program
Overcome PTSD and Addiction
If you suffer from PTSD and also have a substance abuse problem, you may feel as though all is lost. That’s not necessarily the case, as seeking treatment from a quality rehab facility such as ours can help. We can help you identify the PTSD symptoms in women, and will provide you with assistance in overcoming your addiction. Contact us today at 866.796.4720 to learn more about our programs and take the first step toward your recovery.
