PTSD in Women

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? Global female-specific % NE; higher than men
Is it more common among women? Higher than men despite differing trauma-exposure patterns
Are women at higher risk? Yes
How much higher is the risk? WHO: women affected more often; no single global sex RR used here
How often can it be missed? High
Does it show up differently among women? Somewhat
How might it look different? Avoidance, hyperarousal, negative mood/cognition, dissociation; trauma type often differs by sex
What commonly occurs alongside it? MDD; GAD; dissociative disorders; substance use
What can it be confused with? CPTSD; MDD; GAD; panic disorder; BPD; dissociative disorders
Common screening tool PCL-5 / PC-PTSD-5
Separate screening tool for women None
1 of 14