While trauma can happen to anyone, women may experience different types of trauma than men. Additionally, women who experience trauma have a greater chance than men of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s important to know and understand the signs of PTSD in women. Getting must include treatment that is sensitive to women’s trauma. The care team must also recognize complications of PTSD and how to treat accompanying conditions such as addiction. To learn about the treatment options for PTSD in women, please reach out to The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® today at 828.518.6941. Our compassionate PTSD treatment for young women understands the complexities of this health condition. Everyone deserves to live a fulfilling life.
What Is PTSD?
PTSD is a severe mental health condition that occurs in some people who undergo a traumatic event or episode. Living in a war zone, having an abusive childhood, surviving a natural disaster, or experiencing personal violence can be traumatic. However, not everyone who goes through trauma will develop PTSD. Risk factors that increase the chances of developing this condition after trauma include:
- Impacted directly by trauma as a witness or victim
- Experienced physical injury from a traumatic event
- Had severe or long-lasting trauma, such as living in an abusive household as a child or adult
- Experienced childhood trauma
- Have other mental health issues such as anxiety or depression
- Have a substance use disorder
However, PTSD is unique because the individual experiences frequent reminders that uncontrollably come to mind through memories, flashbacks, and nightmares. By continually reliving memories of the trauma, individuals suffer physically and emotionally.
Signs of PTSD in Women
Those who have experienced trauma may develop signs of PTSD in the days, weeks, or months after the event. To formally diagnose this condition, an individual needs a mental health professional’s evaluation. However, showing signs of PTSD means the individual should talk to their doctor. Common signs of PTSD in women include the following:
- Avoiding situations, people, or events that trigger memories of the trauma
- Regular memories of the event coming to the mind uncontrollably through nightmares or flashbacks
- Constantly feeling anxious, on edge, jittery, stressed, or nervous with a racing heart or sweating
- Difficulty concentrating on school or work
- Sleeping problems
- Thoughts and emotions that make daily living difficult, such as anger or shame, causing social isolation
If you recognize any of these PTSD symptoms in women in your life, reach out for help today.
Complications of PTSD
While signs of PTSD can cause problems with living, self-medicating through substance use can also complicate life. Addiction is a common complication of PTSD and other types of mental illness. Treatment for both substance use and PTSD through dual diagnosis care can improve the individual’s chances of coping with the trauma and stop substance use.
PTSD Treatment That Is Sensitive to Women
At The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®, we offer specialized treatment for young women with PTSD. Our trauma-focused therapy helps clients address underlying trauma and develop healthy coping mechanisms. We understand that women experience trauma differently, and our program is sensitive to these unique experiences. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for women to heal and recover from their trauma. Separating men from the equation helps our female clients focus on their recovery without distractions or the threat of relapse triggers.
Treatment for PTSD and Addiction
The type of trauma experienced and the individual’s personal needs will dictate the best treatment path needed. We have holistic healing options that include yoga and meditation. We also offer more traditional individual psychotherapy therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or rational emotive behavioral therapy.
Because PTSD and addiction are complex problems, recovery does not happen overnight. Most women in our program stay long-term for at least 90 days to ensure they have the time to heal thoroughly in their bodies and minds. We also help them with aftercare or transitional living nearby following their stay with us to prevent relapse.
Call The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® Today
At The The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® near Asheville, NC, we provide young women therapy and treatments to help them recover from substance abuse and mental health concerns, including PTSD. If you or a woman in your life shows signs of PTSD and also has an addiction to drugs or alcohol, phone us at 828.518.6941 or message us online to get more information about our programs and how we can help.
Stopping the cycle of the dual problems of PTSD and addiction starts with getting care for both. We can help at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® for symptoms of PTSD in women.
