Women Veterans and PTSD: The Hidden Battle After Service

Published On: January 22, 2025

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often associated with military combat, life-threatening situations, deployment stress, and other traumatic incidents in the military service. Women veterans, however, face unique circumstances, including gender-specific challenges in the military, that can lead to PTSD and other mental health issues. Understanding the hidden battle our female veterans face can help us better provide them with the support and care they deserve.

Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Women Veterans

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant mental health disorder faced by many active-duty service members and veterans, male and female. Symptoms of PTSD Studies show that women veterans have the highest rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared with male veterans and the overall general population.

Women veterans often face a range of gender-specific challenges in the military that can influence the manifestation of PTSD and other mental health issues. Many women may be hesitant about speaking up about their psychological challenges due to the stigma surrounding mental health in the service. Some may fear being misunderstood when discussing gender-specific issues, such as military sexual trauma (MST), or facing discrimination.

How PTSD Manifests in Female Veterans

PTSD in women veterans may manifest differently compared to men due to a combination of biological and psychosocial differences. Common signs and symptoms of PTSD in women veterans often include:

Disturbing flashbacks or intrusive memories of traumatic events
Avoidance of places or situations that remind them of their trauma
Depression or anxiety
Feelings of guilt or shameimimsimimsI
Emotional numbness
Difficulty connecting with others
Social isolation and loneliness
Hypervigilance or feeling on edge constantly

The impact of PTSD on women veterans nearly infiltrates every aspect of their lives, including their physical health, mental well-being, relationships, and careers. PTSD symptoms for women can result in emotional distress, severe isolation, physical health conditions, and a higher risk of suicide.

The Causes of PTSD in Women Veterans

Research shows that women have a two to three times higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than men. Gender differences in PTSD involve both psychosocial and biological explanations influencing the risk of PTSD in women and male veterans.

Women veterans with PTSD are more likely to experience avoidant behaviors and emotional numbness, whereas men are more susceptible to anger and aggression. Many veterans, both men and women, may turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism for mental health challenges.

Using substances for self-medication can exacerbate PTSD symptoms and lead to a co-occurring disorder. A co-occurring disorder, or dual diagnosis, is when someone has a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental illness at the same time.

Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

Military sexual trauma (MST) is one of the leading contributors to PTSD in women veterans. MST refers to sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment experienced during military service that has a lasting impact on mental and physical health. Signs and symptoms of military sexual trauma (MST) may include:

Distressing memories or flashbacks
Disturbing nightmares
Trouble feeling safe
Feeling numb or depressed
Using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism
Low self-esteem
Social isolation

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states that 1 in 3 women in the military report experiencing military sexual trauma (MST). This number only estimates the number of women veterans who have come forward about their experiences, assuming that it is much higher for those who have not reported. Military sexual trauma is not only experienced by women veterans, as all genders and other branches of service have experienced MST.

Combat Exposure and Deployment Stress

While women are not exceptionally trained for combat specialties, they still participate in or witness stressful combat-supported missions. Women veterans who have had similar combat or war zone exposure to men were at a higher risk of PTSD. Exposure to life-threatening situations, violence, and witnessing injuries or deaths of comrades can lead to the development of PTSD in women and men.

With recent shifts in policy, the risk of combat-related trauma and PTSD may increase for women. Men are more likely to experience a variety of trauma types and more of it, but PTSD is twice as prevalent in women.

Challenges of Reintegrating into Civilian Life

Following deployment, women veterans are more susceptible to experiencing depression than men. The shift from military to civilian life can present many emotional, psychological, and social challenges for female veterans. They may also experience barriers to reconnecting with loved ones, which can lead to isolation, loneliness, and depression.

Women veterans may face societal expectations and gender discrimination when reintegrating into civilian life, exacerbating their existing psychological issues.

Mental health issues such as depression and PTSD are higher among women veterans compared to men. Women may struggle to navigate this transition while coping with the emotional scars of their service, creating additional stressors and heightening PTSD symptoms.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Women Veterans with PTSD

Understanding the nature of PTSD in women veterans is the first step to being able to provide them with the proper treatment and support. By addressing these gender-specific challenges, whether from MST, combat experiences, or reintegrating into society, we can help our heroes heal and thrive in recovery.

Trauma-informed therapy, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is used to treat PTSD and the effects of military sexual trauma (MST). Palm Beach Gardens Recovery offers rehab for veterans in North Palm Beach, FL, for those struggling with mental health and substance abuse.

Our evidence-based treatments incorporate holistic therapies and CBT to ensure a well-rounded approach to PTSD recovery. Reach out today for more information about our veteran’s addiction treatment in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.