02-28-2022, 11:13 AM
With women now serving on the front lines like never before in our nation's history, the military faces the new challenge of understanding the toll combat takes on the female psyche. Combat trauma is common in women; five out of ten women experience a traumatic event. Women tend to experience different traumas than men. While both men and women report the same symptoms of PTSD (hyperarousal, reexperiencing, avoidance, and numbing), some symptoms are more common for women or men.
What is the Difference?
Women are more likely to be jumpy, to have more trouble feeling emotions, and to avoid things that remind them of the trauma than men. Men are more likely to feel angry and to have trouble controlling their anger then women. Women with PTSD are more likely to feel depressed and anxious, while men with PTSD are more likely to have problems with alcohol or drugs. Both women and men who experience PTSD may develop physical health problems.
Why do Women Experience PTSD?
Women in the military are at high risk for exposure to traumatic events, especially during times of war. Although men are more likely to experience combat, a growing number of women are now being exposed to combat. Women in the military are at higher risk for exposure to sexual harassment or sexual assault than men. Future studies are needed to better understand the effects of women's exposure to both combat and sexual assault.
Do More Women than Men Experience PTSD?
Women are more than twice as likely to develop PTSD than men (10% for women and 4% for men). There are a few reasons women might get PTSD more than men:
Women 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 trauma experiences than men.
Not all women who experience a traumatic event develop PTSD. Women are more likely to develop PTSD if they:
Have a past mental health problem (for example depression or anxiety)
Experienced a very severe or life-threatening trauma
Were sexually assaulted
Were injured during the event
Had a severe reaction at the time of the event
Experienced other stressful events afterwards
Do not have good social support
Help and Treatment
The VA has established a Women Veterans hotline 855-VA-WOMEN (829-6636) to receive and respond to questions from women Veterans, their families, and caregivers across the nation about available VA services and resources. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms contact the 24 hour Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, press 1 ( or text 838255 for immediate help.) You can also use the VA's Confidential Veterans Chat to seek assistance online. You can also check out the VA's PTSD website for more information.
What is the Difference?
Women are more likely to be jumpy, to have more trouble feeling emotions, and to avoid things that remind them of the trauma than men. Men are more likely to feel angry and to have trouble controlling their anger then women. Women with PTSD are more likely to feel depressed and anxious, while men with PTSD are more likely to have problems with alcohol or drugs. Both women and men who experience PTSD may develop physical health problems.
Why do Women Experience PTSD?
Women in the military are at high risk for exposure to traumatic events, especially during times of war. Although men are more likely to experience combat, a growing number of women are now being exposed to combat. Women in the military are at higher risk for exposure to sexual harassment or sexual assault than men. Future studies are needed to better understand the effects of women's exposure to both combat and sexual assault.
Do More Women than Men Experience PTSD?
Women are more than twice as likely to develop PTSD than men (10% for women and 4% for men). There are a few reasons women might get PTSD more than men:
Women 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 trauma experiences than men.
Not all women who experience a traumatic event develop PTSD. Women are more likely to develop PTSD if they:
Have a past mental health problem (for example depression or anxiety)
Experienced a very severe or life-threatening trauma
Were sexually assaulted
Were injured during the event
Had a severe reaction at the time of the event
Experienced other stressful events afterwards
Do not have good social support
Help and Treatment
The VA has established a Women Veterans hotline 855-VA-WOMEN (829-6636) to receive and respond to questions from women Veterans, their families, and caregivers across the nation about available VA services and resources. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms contact the 24 hour Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, press 1 ( or text 838255 for immediate help.) You can also use the VA's Confidential Veterans Chat to seek assistance online. You can also check out the VA's PTSD website for more information.