Although males experience more traumatic events on average than females, females are more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is defined as an anxiety disorder triggered by a traumatic event and characterized by symptoms of re-experiencing the trauma, avoidance and numbing, and hyperarousal. Females are more likely to have experienced sexual assault and child sexual abuse, but less likely to have experienced accidents, nonsexual assaults, witness death or injury, disaster, fire, combat, or war. Thus, sexual trauma appears to cause more emotional suffering and is more likely to contribute to PTSD than other types of trauma. Female PTSD is also higher when compared to males for the same type of trauma. Males may not have the same emotional responses to traumatic events. For both men and women, multiple traumas increase risk of PTSD symptoms when confronted with a new trauma; even though the current event may not have caused all of the symptoms. Male symptoms of PTSD may manifest differently. Men are less likely to report anxiety or depression; but more likely to report behavioral (i.e., irritable, angry, and violent) and drug problems. Dr. Janetzke helps individuals understand how different types of trauma can manifest in different symptoms and patterns of behavior, emotional response, physiological functioning, and distorted thinking. She also suggests that thorough assessments are needed to know if someone will suffer lasting symptoms. Dr. Janetzke provides individualized, specialized, and comprehensive approaches to trauma recovery in order to help individuals to regain normal functioning and quality of life. Dr. Janetzke is also certified in EMDR and DBT which are evidence-based treatment for trauma. |
