Women and PTSD

PTSD has long been recognized as a serious disability affecting thousands of individuals, namely veterans, every year.  The condition can result in attention disorders, panic attacks, social and anger management issues, and depression, to name a few symptoms.  Until very recently, however, PTSD was usually only associated with male veterans.  In recent years, over 230,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, with that number continuing to climb.  Their homecomings and assimilation back into “normal” society is radically different than those of their male counterparts.

Many have nightmares and constant visions of combat, as well as severe mood swings and a reluctance to discuss their military service.  These conditions often force the female veterans to disengage from further education or work, thereby applying for disability benefits.  These benefits, however, are not always easy for the women to obtain.  Many women have found that the Department of Veterans Affairs does not adequately take their service and circumstances into consideration when determining a disability rating.  As such, many of these veterans receive a lower disability rating and corresponding lower monthly payout.  These actions by the Department further impact these women, as they feel that their service was not important and that the factors for leaving the military were irrelevant.

This feeling of being abandoned by their own veteran establishment is further compounded when they return home.  Female veterans have higher divorce rates than males, and are more likely to be single parents.  Additionally, the women who seek help from VA hospitals are much more likely to be diagnosed with military sex trauma, including sexual harassment, rape, or assault.  These distinguishing characteristics between male and female veterans can also be seen when communities readily thank a man for his service, shaking his hand and buying him dinner or a drink, whereas a woman is more likely to be perceived as a girlfriend or wife of the soldier.  Even if a woman is recognized for her service, often times, such service is downplayed because it was not on the front lines.

All of these factors contribute to the increasing rate of health problems seen in our female veterans.  The VA recognizes that changes need to be made and has instituted the hiring of female coordinators to give women advocates at the medical centers.  Additionally, the VA is considering a proposal to make it easier for those veterans who served in non-infantry roles to qualify for PTSD disability benefits.  The Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee also requested that soldiers’ combat experience be included on their military discharge papers to make it more efficient for them to get benefits in the future.

This validation of their invaluable service is paramount so that these female veterans get both the treatment and recognition they deserve and need.  Without it, many women may not see themselves as veterans and may not pursue treatment options for PTSD, sexual assault, or other health conditions.  The VA is taking steps in the right direction, as are many new female veterans’ organizations across the country.  Hopefully, these new options and services will provide these female veterans with the necessary tools to help them get the help they need for PTSD and give them assistance on understanding the ever changing environment they have come back to.