PTSD is a term that gets thrown around far too much in casual conversation. When people get negative reactions to something or a flashback to a negative experience, they jokingly say it’s triggering their PTSD. There is a massive difference between the butterfly-in-the-stomach feeling that comes with negative memories and the crippling impact of PTSD.
PTSD is an acknowledged disability that affects more people in the United States than non-sufferers realize. Triggers related to the event, however small, can cause extreme tension, panic, or violent outbursts. Sufferers can also find themselves struggling to sleep or concentrate on tasks to the point it affects their ability to work. Some also develop additional mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. PTSD treatment centers can help all kinds of patients, whatever the root of the problem.
How Common Is PTSD?
There are different ways of answering this question because of the risk factors involved. Some people are more at risk than others, such as veterans and victims of serious trauma. There’s no guarantee that those who experience severe trauma will develop the disorder, but estimates state that 1 in 3 victims will. The Nation Institute of Mental Health also states that while the average number of patients in the United States is 3.6%, the numbers are very different when looking purely at the binary genders. It claims the percentages are 1.8% in males and 5.2% in females. So, why might that be the case?
Causes Of PTSD For Women In California
Starting with all those identifying as women, there is a significant increase in the number of cases in the United States compared to men. There is one immediate cause that comes to mind when explaining this: violence against women and girls. That could be violent acts experienced from a young age, domestic violence cases involving partners, or sexual violence through assault and rape. Now, this isn’t to say that men aren’t at risk of domestic violence, sexual assault, or rape. The rates are just lower.
Away from the most gender-related issues for women, there are all kinds of other traumatic experiences causing PTSD. Any form of accident or emergency can trigger symptoms and make it difficult to function. Car crashes are frequent causes, as are serious house fires, violent acts on loved ones, or traumatic experiences from childhood.
There’s also the issue of natural disasters, which are becoming more common in California. The devastating wildfires are a prime example because of the impact on the landscape and the lives of so many people. Those who’ve suffered in floods and earthquakes may also struggle with the aftereffects.
Causes Of PTSD For Men In California
Men are at risk of developing PTSD from many of the same traumatic events as women. Car accidents, house fires, and traumatic crime can all have the same harrowing impact. The same goes for those who are caught up in natural disasters. There’s also another factor we’re yet to mention that’s more likely to affect men than women.
One of the most common causes of PTSD is military service. Those who serve and follow the orders of their superiors end up doing things and seeing consequences that haunt them. They also have the added stress of struggling to adjust back into society after their service. PTSD is also common for those working in emergency services, such as police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. When jobs don’t go to plan, and people can’t be saved, it can be hard to come back from that.
As with the issues of domestic violence and rape, we’re not saying that trauma through military combat is purely experienced by one gender. Anyone who serves and sees the horrors of war can come back deeply scarred on a psychological level. The same is true for those serving in emergency services who struggle to process the most difficult jobs they’re called to. There just tend to be more men in dangerous frontline work.
So why is the percentage so low compared to women? Is it the case that men simply aren’t seeking help and acknowledging their disorder in the same way as women? It’s a cliche to say that men bottle up their feelings to fulfill masculine stereotypes, but it’s still true. Women who talk about their feelings and stress may be diagnosed more often via therapists and other medical professionals. Meanwhile, men continue to insist they’re fine and that therapy is pointless.
Seeking Professional PTSD Treatment In California
Ultimately, while there is a discrepancy in the figure for men and women with PTSD, the causes and impact are very much the same. Sufferers struggle to handle a traumatic event in their lives and see their mental health, physical health, and personal relationships break down as a result.
The only way to break through and heal the damage is through professional help. Inpatient treatment programs at centers for PTSD treatment in Orange County can help. Skilled therapists can help patients work through their trauma via a combination of medical interventions, psychological therapy, and alternative treatments. With the right individualized approach, enough patience, and external support, PTSD sufferers can make improvements and thrive through outpatient and aftercare programs.
The end goal is not just to allow patients to appreciate the cause and effect of their trauma but to work on ways of handling triggers more effectively. Furthermore, there is support for physical symptoms and other mental health disorders existing alongside PTSD.
Seeking Help Is A Strength, Not A Weakness
The final point to end on here is simple. Asking for help with PTSD isn’t a sign of weakness. You aren’t giving in or giving up by admitting you’re struggling. You aren’t failing a loved one by insisting they seek professional help for their trauma. Admitting you’re struggling is a sign of strength and that you know yourself better than you think. So, if you know deep down that PTSD treatment would benefit you in any way, get in touch with a local provider. It could change your life for the better.
