What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may develop in women after experiencing a frightening, shocking, dangerous, or traumatic event—such as a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist act, war or combat, or sexual assault.
Many people who endure such trauma struggle to adjust at first, but most recover with time and proper self-care. However, if PTSD symptoms in women—such as intrusive memories, heightened anxiety, or sleep disturbances—persist or worsen and begin to interfere with daily life, it may indicate that a woman is suffering from PTSD.
Are Women More Likely to Develop PTSD?
According to research, women are more likely than men to develop PTSD. The American Psychological Association reviewed 290 studies from 1980 to 2005, finding that while men are more likely to experience traumatic events, women suffer from higher rates of PTSD.
A more recent study found that women have a two- to three-times higher risk of developing PTSD than men, with lifetime prevalence around 10–12% in women versus 5–6% in men.
2024 research highlights that women exposed to multiple traumas have a 15–20% higher likelihood of chronic PTSD symptoms compared to men, and women with PTSD are more likely to have co-occurring anxiety and depression.
What Causes PTSD in Women?
PTSD is triggered by traumatic experiences. Common events include:
- Serious accidents
- Physical or sexual assault, sexual abuse, or torture
- Emotional or physical abuse, such as domestic violence or childhood abuse
- Traumatic events at work or stressful remote working conditions
- Serious health problems, including ICU admission
- Experiences in childbirth, such as losing a baby
- The death, violent death, or accidental death of someone close
- Wars, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or critical viruses like COVID-19
Among these causes, accidents and physical or sexual assaults are the most common. The severity of the trauma often correlates with the risk of developing PTSD later.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of PTSD In Women?
A 2015 study published by the Journal of Anxiety Disorders found that women experience more distress than men across almost all PTSD checklist items (17 items measuring core PTSD symptoms).
PTSD symptoms may start within a month of the traumatic event, though in some cases, they may appear years later. Some women may experience delayed or intermittent symptoms, which can disrupt daily life.
(1) Intrusive Memories and Avoidance
Common symptoms of intrusive memories may include getting recurrent and distressing memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event, nightmares and dreams about the traumatic event or experiencing severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event.
Often, these women may also have the avoidance symptom or symptoms, and most of the time, they will try to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event, or avoiding places, activities or people that remind them of the event. For instance, if you were involved in an airplane accident but managed to survive, you may avoid travelling altogether, or even pass by an airport.
(2) Changes In Thinking and Mood
Some women with PTSD may have negative thoughts about themselves, people around them or even unrelated people. Often, they also experience hopelessness about the future and feels detached from family and friends. Other symptoms of women with PTSD include memory problems, such as not remembering important details of the traumatic event. They also have difficulty maintaining close relationships, and no interest in activities that they previously enjoyed.
(3) Changes In Physical and Emotional Reactions
Women with PTSD may also experience physical and emotional reactions or what we called arousal symptoms such as being easily startled or frightened, irritable and being always overwhelmed with guilt or shame.
Other women may experience self-destructive behaviours such as excessive drinking or smoking, and/or taking drugs, and having trouble sleeping or focusing on everyday activities. Physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, excessive sweating, pain, nausea and trembling may also occur.
(4) Intensity of Symptoms
PTSD symptoms in women vary in intensity and may flare during distressing periods or when memories of the trauma arise. Women with prior mental health issues (e.g., anxiety, depression) or severe past traumas are at higher risk.
How PTSD Differs in Women and Men
PTSD differs in women and men, which may be attributed to the fact that women and men in general experience different mental health problems. Women with PTSD are more prone to internalising disorders such as anxiety and depression, unlike men who are more prone to externalising disorders such as substance abuse like alcohol and/or drugs.
Women are also more likely to be nervous and have more trouble grasping with their emotions, as opposed to men, who are more likely to feel angry and have trouble controlling their anger. Women are also four times more likely to experience the symptoms of PTSD for a longer period of time than men, both before diagnosis and treatment.
It must be noted that signs and symptoms may sometimes overlap and women may show externalising disorders too, which include crying or expressing feelings of sadness and depression.
Diagnosing PTSD In Women
PTSD is often underdiagnosed. For a diagnosis, symptoms must last at least one month and significantly disrupt normal activities. Short-term PTSD-like symptoms (<1 month) are typically diagnosed as acute stress disorder.
If you suspect PTSD, answer this brief questionnaire. A ‘yes’ to any three questions suggests consulting a mental health professional:
- Frequent nightmares about a traumatic event?
- Avoidance of people, situations, or places linked to the event?
- Constant anxiety or being easily startled?
- Feeling lost, detached from family/friends, or disinterest in usual activities?
Childhood trauma or reluctance to discuss events can complicate diagnosis, but experienced psychiatrists have methods to assess these cases.
Treating PTSD Symptoms In Women
Treatment may involve therapy, counseling, medications, or combinations thereof, aimed at reducing symptoms, teaching coping skills, and restoring self-esteem.
(1) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT—typically a 12-week treatment plan with weekly sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes—is a talk therapy designed specifically to treat PTSD. It helps women confront trauma, identify disruptive thought patterns, and gradually reengage in activities they have been avoiding.
During therapy, the psychiatrist invites them to discuss the event, explores how related thoughts affect their daily life, and guides them to face painful memories. This process can help them discover healthier ways to live with their trauma. For example, if self-blame is central to their thoughts, the therapist will help them list the factors that were beyond their control, reinforcing that the trauma was not their fault. Over time, they can begin to move forward and, with guidance, gradually resume the everyday activities they have avoided since the experience.
(2) Stress Inoculation Training (SIT)
SIT, a form of CPT, helps women manage trauma-related stress and anxiety through relaxation and breathing techniques—without requiring full disclosure of the traumatic event.
The therapy focuses on changing how they respond to stress and anxiety stemming from the trauma. Sessions can be conducted individually or in a group, and a key advantage is that participants are not required to share details of their experience. During these sessions, therapists teach massage and breathing exercises to promote relaxation and prevent negative thoughts from taking hold. The ultimate goal is to equip women with lasting skills to reduce stress and anxiety in their daily lives.
(3) Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET)
PET involves repeated recollection of the traumatic event to reduce sensitivity to distressing memories, triggers, and situations. Over several sessions, women are guided to revisit the trauma repeatedly, which can gradually lessen their emotional reaction to related memories, people, and environments. Throughout the process, therapists teach breathing and coping techniques to help manage anxiety and ease distress during these recollections.
(4) Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR therapy is another treatment for PTSD in women that can significantly reduce symptoms. It involves detailed recall of the traumatic experience, yet the individual does not have to describe the event to the therapist.
During a session, they are guided to remember and mentally revisit the trauma while simultaneously focusing on a specific visual or auditory stimulus—such as following the therapist’s moving hand, watching a flashing light, or listening to rhythmic sounds like gentle beeps. The goal is to help the brain reprocess the memory and shift emotional responses toward a calmer, more positive state.
(5) Medicines
If a woman chooses not to undergo trauma-focused psychological therapy—or if that therapy is ineffective or complicated by other medical conditions—her doctor or psychiatrist may prescribe antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications that act on the brain’s neurotransmitters, such as serotonin or norepinephrine (SSRIs and SNRIs). Common options include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and venlafaxine (Effexor). Of these, only paroxetine and sertraline have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for PTSD. These medications are generally not recommended for women under 18.
Depending on the individual’s needs, a doctor may also prescribe other medications not formally approved by the FDA for PTSD, such as certain antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), antipsychotics or second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), beta-blockers, or benzodiazepines.
The type and combination of medications will depend on the woman’s specific symptoms and any co-occurring conditions such as substance abuse, bipolar disorder, or generalized anxiety. Dosage adjustments often take time, and doctors may order tests to monitor effectiveness and potential side effects.
Before starting treatment, the psychiatrist should explain possible side effects and the risk of withdrawal symptoms if the medication is stopped. For example, paroxetine can cause blurred vision, diarrhea, or constipation, and withdrawal may lead to sleep disturbances, vivid dreams, anxiety, or irritability.
The primary goal of these medications is to reduce intrusive thoughts and reactions—such as flashbacks, insomnia, and nightmares—so the patient can approach life more positively. It’s important to understand that PTSD treatment can take weeks, months, or even years. While medications will not eliminate symptoms immediately, they can make them significantly more manageable.
Managing PTSD in Women: How to Help Female Family and Friends
It can feel overwhelming when someone close to you is living with PTSD, but there are meaningful ways to offer support.
First, show love and encouragement by joining them in everyday activities—such as exercise for physical well-being or casual meals to lift their mood. Avoid taking over their tasks; instead, let them decide what they want to do, which helps rebuild confidence. Just as important, be a patient listener without pressuring them to discuss their trauma.
At the same time, educate yourself about PTSD. The more you understand the condition, the better equipped you’ll be to support your female friends or family members. Finally, talk about future plans and set small goals together, helping them look ahead and regain a sense of hope.