Trauma is the psychological and physical response to an event that challenges your sense of safety and leaves you feeling overwhelmed. About half of all people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.
Trauma symptoms usually ease over time as the mind processes the event. However, sometimes the brain gets stuck in the trauma, leading to many mental health disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder. Many people associate PTSD only with service people, but anyone can develop PTSD at any time, even children. A PTSD treatment program is the best way to overcome the symptoms associated with this debilitating disorder.
Unfortunately, countless individuals who have PTSD turn to drugs or alcohol, seeking relief from their symptoms. At Gulf Breeze Recovery, we understand the complex relationship between these co-occurring disorders and offer a non-12-step holistic approach to treatment. When you are ready to regain control of your life, reach out to us at 833.551.2304.
Understanding the Effects of Trauma
Trauma is emotionally, psychologically, and sometimes physically painful. Untreated trauma often leads to mental health disorders, including PTSD and other anxiety disorders, depression, and substance use disorders, creating havoc and impairing daily functioning. Although each individual experiences the symptoms of trauma differently, common effects include:
Flashbacks–Reliving aspects of the traumatic event and feeling like it is currently happening.
Dissociation–Feeling numb, spaced out, or out of touch with your body or environment.
Hyperarousal–Feeling very anxious, edgy, unable to relax, and always expecting danger.
Sleep disturbances–Difficult falling asleep, staying asleep or having nightmares.
Self-harm–Hurting yourself to try to cope with your thoughts and feelings.
Drug and alcohol abuse–Using substances to numb yourself or drown out upsetting thoughts and feelings.
Self-isolation–Avoiding people, places, and things that trigger memories of your trauma.
Many trauma victims also experience difficulty concentrating, mood swings, irritability, tension, headaches, and feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame. Victims of sexual, physical, or psychological abuse are particularly susceptible to guilt, shame, and self-blame.
Are Women More Susceptible to PTSD?
Research suggests that women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. Further, they experience a longer duration of symptoms than men and are more sensitive to triggers that remind them of their trauma. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that men typically suffer from symptoms of PTSD for about a year before being diagnosed and getting treatment. By contrast, women tend to wait four years between the onset of symptoms and seeking help.
When looking at the most prevalent sources of trauma, it becomes more clear why women are more susceptible to developing PTSD. Besides experiencing combat, a natural disaster, a serious accident, injury, or illness, and living in a warzone, the most common traumatic events include:
- Sexual assault, or sexual abuse
- Domestic violence
- Physical abuse
- Emotional or psychological abuse
- Being the victim of a violent crime
- Childhood abuse or neglect
Statistically speaking, women are the victims of these traumatic events. Historically speaking, women who have been brave enough to report such crimes have been further traumatized by being made to feel that they somehow brought these crimes upon themselves. Fortunately, society’s perceptions are changing for the better, allowing more women to feel comfortable speaking up and seeking the help they need and deserve.
Contact Gulf Breeze Recovery for PTSD Treatment
If you are suffering from the effects of PTSD, help is available at Gulf Breeze Recovery. We understand that women often turn to reliance on drugs or alcohol to cope with the impact of past or ongoing trauma. We are committed to creating a safe therapeutic space where women can openly discuss traumatic encounters with men while detaching from their daily roles to focus on their own needs entirely. The trauma you experienced does not need to define your life. Contact Gulf Breeze Recovery today at 833.551.2304 to discover the healing you deserve.
