Trauma is an unfortunate reality of many women’s lives. Long after the traumatic event has passed, it can continue to have devastating effects on the mind. However, the right treatment can make a huge difference. Understanding the unique issues relating to trauma and women can help you find ways to take charge of your mental health. To learn more about our women’s treatment center, contact us today.
How Often Does Trauma Occur Among Women?
Trauma is an intensely negative experience that causes damage to the mind. There are many types of trauma that women face. Trauma can be from something physical, such as domestic violence, bullying, or mugging. For many women, trauma can be due to sexual assaults, ranging from indecent exposure to rape. Trauma can also be purely mental, occurring after witnessing violence or experiencing mental and emotional abuse. Research from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication reports that roughly half of all women experience trauma at least once in their life.
The Many Ways That Trauma Affects Women
Roughly 8% of women who experience trauma develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition is a type of disease characterized by intense flashbacks, depression, anxiety, and heightened reactions to various triggers. Rates of PTSD among women are much higher than among men. Women have PTSD that lasts four times as long as men, on average, and twice as many women as men have lifelong PTSD.
Even those who do not develop PTSD can struggle to deal with their trauma. It can make it hard to cope in daily life or handle work, relationships, and social events. Many women end up using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate, which can lead to substance use issues over time. Others may find that the trauma worsens their mental health and exacerbates symptoms of disorders like anxiety or depression.
The Link Between Trauma and Women
Why do so many women experience trauma? Sadly, a lot of this is due to the effects of being female in a society where so many people overlook or harass women. In addition to non-gendered trauma from events such as robbery, childhood abuse, car accidents, and military combat, women are also much more likely to experience trauma due to sexual assault and domestic violence than men.
Statistics from the CDC National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicate that almost one in five women has experienced rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. These high numbers are at the root of the surprisingly high rates of trauma among women. PTSD is more likely to occur after sexual violence than other types of violence, meaning that women are more likely to face severe and long-lasting effects from their trauma.
Get Treatment at the Willows at Red Oak
Since so much of female trauma has its basis in sexual violence, many women will do best when treated in female-only spaces where they can feel safe. Most of the clinically proven methods for managing trauma involve a blend of therapy and medication. Some of the conventional methods of treating trauma include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Group therapy
- Grief therapy
- Anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs
- Exposure therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
These treatments focus on helping people learn healthy ways of coping, escape negative thought patterns, and process negative emotions. Each woman is unique, so she needs an individualized treatment plan that focuses on her situation.
At The Willows at Red Oak, we provide a uniquely female-oriented care center for dealing with a variety of addiction and mental health issues. Our clients can escape from daily stress by staying at our peaceful clinic located on an old horse farm. During their stay, they take part in a variety of clinical therapy programs and work towards healing with a range of holistic therapies. Contact us today 855.773.0614 to schedule your consultation today.
For women in search of change, recovery, and trauma resolution, transformation begins at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®. Located just south of Asheville, we offer gender-specific, clinically-focused, and trauma-informed care in an environment conducive to healing.