Men and PTSD: Know the Warning Signs
PTSD affects people in diverse ways, and men living with trauma should be aware of some additional symptoms.
PTSD is a mental health disorder that often arises following a sudden traumatic experience or recurring exposure to traumatizing events or situations.
PTSD can cause individuals to isolate themselves from others and experience intense emotions such as anger and sadness. Individuals with PTSD may also have flashbacks or intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event, and may suffer from nightmares related to the trauma.
To give an instance, fireworks displays or loud noises may trigger flashbacks for many veterans with PTSD, while an unexpected touch or a smell that reminds them of their attacker could trigger flashbacks for victims of violence.
PTSD can affect anyone, but certain symptoms are more prevalent in men, and specific treatment approaches may be more effective for them.
How PTSD affects your life
While most people who go through a traumatic event recover without any lasting effects, those who develop PTSD have a different experience. They experience symptoms that persist and can worsen over time if not treated.
The symptoms of PTSD can last for months or even years and may not improve without treatment. They can also significantly interfere with one’s daily activities and functioning.
Who gets PTSD?
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that approximately 4% of the U.S. population is affected by PTSD. Among adults in the U.S., around 2% of men are estimated to experience PTSD.
It is estimated that a higher percentage of men compared to women will experience at least one traumatic event during their lifetime. Around 60% of men and 50% of women are expected to experience at least one traumatic event.
Although men are more likely to experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, women are twice as likely to develop PTSD compared to men.
What causes PTSD in men and how is it different?
Every person’s experience with PTSD is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all explanation or cause for the disorder.
While PTSD symptoms may not necessarily differ based on gender, the types of traumatic events that are more commonly experienced by men versus women can vary.
Men are more likely to be exposed to combat or high-risk work environments, while women are more likely to experience sexual abuse (although it is possible for men to experience this as well). These varying types of traumatic experiences can all contribute to the development of PTSD.
To put it differently, studies have shown that there is a variation in the age at which men and women experience traumatic events. Men tend to experience trauma later in life, whereas women are more prone to experience trauma at a younger age, often through physical or sexual abuse.
Symptoms and signs of PTSD in men
In order to be diagnosed with PTSD, a mental health practitioner must confirm that the individual has experienced the following symptoms for at least one month, according to the NIMH:
- At least one intrusive or re-experiencing symptom, such as flashbacks, reliving the traumatic events, bad dreams, or persistent thoughts about the traumatic event.
- At least one avoidance behavior where you take steps to avoid potential triggers that could remind you of the traumatic event. This can also include changing your daily routine.
- At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms, such as frequently feeling on edge or on high alert, and having trouble managing your day-to-day tasks.
- At least two cognition and mood symptoms. For example, you might have strong feelings of guilt or personal blame for what happened, lose interest in activities that you used to enjoy, and be unable to remember significant details about the traumatic event.
Men with PTSD are more likely to experience difficulty controlling their anger and regulating their mood compared to women with PTSD.
Additionally, men with PTSD are more likely to withdraw from friends and family, and this behavior is more often seen in men with PTSD compared to women.
Getting a PTSD diagnosis
If you suspect that you might be experiencing PTSD, there are various resources and mental health experts accessible to support you.
It may be helpful to seek assistance at the earliest opportunity since PTSD symptoms can worsen over time and impact your daily routine more severely.
During your consultation with a mental health specialist, they will likely discuss your symptoms and the traumatic event or time frame that you went through.
After ruling out other mental health conditions that have similar symptoms, such as depression or anxiety, mental health professionals will discuss the various treatment options available once you receive a PTSD diagnosis.
PTSD treatment options
Since PTSD symptoms can vary among individuals, there are several treatment options available. It may take some time to determine which option is best suited for your specific symptoms.
Your therapist will guide you through the following treatment options:
Cognitive processing therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on changing the way an individual thinks about and processes their traumatic experience.
Typically, individuals with PTSD may blame themselves or feel guilty about the event, which can be addressed through CPT by challenging these negative thoughts and developing coping strategies to reduce their impact.
Prolonged exposure
Prolonged exposure (PE)) is a form of PTSD therapy that involves weekly sessions with a therapist over a period of about 3 months.
The goal of this therapy is to gradually and safely expose you to elements of your trauma in a controlled environment. While this approach may seem daunting or frightening, your therapist will work with you to ensure that you feel as safe as possible.
There are two types of prolonged exposure:
Imaginal exposure
In imaginal exposure therapy, you will be asked to vividly imagine and recount the details of your traumatic experience.
The therapist will encourage you to describe the event in the present tense and record the session so that you can listen to it later. The purpose of this therapy is to gradually reduce your fear and anxiety associated with the traumatic event by allowing you to confront it in a safe and controlled environment.
This therapy also helps you experience the emotions related to the event without overwhelming your nervous system.
In vivo exposure
To help reduce the fear and anxiety associated with external triggers related to your traumatic event, this method focuses on gradual exposure to those triggers.
If your trauma is associated with a place, item, or person, the therapy will reintroduce you to them in a non-threatening way. You will be encouraged to interact with these triggers between sessions at your own pace.
Internal family systems (IFS)
In the case of complex PTSD, which results from ongoing traumas that last for a period of months or years, Internal Family Systems Therapy can be an effective treatment.
This therapy approach is focused on returning individuals to a state of wholeness, helping them integrate the parts of themselves that feel disconnected as a result of trauma.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy
This method concentrates on the underlying causes of your struggles. It analyzes the subconscious beliefs or teachings that you may have acquired during your life and how they connect to your current behavior.
Studies have indicated that this approach can be helpful for individuals who have PTSD related to combat, interpersonal trauma, or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Group therapy
Research indicates that group therapy can be an effective treatment for PTSD, as it allows individuals to connect with others who have similar experiences and receive support.
To find group therapy options near you, you can utilize resources such as the Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s (ADAA) support group tool or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Prescription medications
Your mental health professional may consider medication as an option, especially since some symptoms of PTSD can be similar to those of other mental health conditions.
The medication prescribed most frequently includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or anti-anxiety medications, which can help you manage some of the symptoms.
What’s next
It’s crucial to keep in mind that PTSD can affect anyone regardless of their gender or any other characteristic. It’s not something that one brings upon oneself.
Traumatic events that cause PTSD are often overwhelming, and seeking help is an act of bravery.
There are many caring and understanding mental health professionals, some of whom have also experienced PTSD, who are available to assist you.
You don’t have to confront PTSD on your own. Recovery is possible.
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