Trauma can result from a number of different situations, including loss, violence, accidents, natural disasters, and military experience. Any physical, psychological, or emotional response that is triggered after living through a traumatic experience can be considered a traumatic reaction.
The way trauma reactions can manifest will differ from person to person and from situation to situation. As with any mental or physical health matter, it’s never safe to assume that the presentation will be black and white.
One differing factor for trauma reactions is gender. So without overgeneralizing too much, here are some of the differences in how men and women respond to trauma.
Biological Factors
Hormonal Differences
The hormones in our body dictate growth and development, how we operate, and how we respond to the environment around us. The hormonal differences in men versus women can play a part in how each one responds after a trauma.
Women under stress tend to have more hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland activation. That can trigger cortisol release. Men, on the other hand, often have more activation of their sympathetic nervous system leading to more adrenaline. Women are more likely to seek connection during periods of stress while men are more likely to go into fight-or-flight mode.
Estrogen and testosterone can impact the way stress is perceived and the appropriate reaction. Plus hormones fluctuate more with women, making it possible that they will experience more intense emotional responses to their traumatic experiences.
Brain Structure
If you look at a male brain compared to a female brain, there are some structural differences. This is one reason why men handle emotions differently than women do. Since the ability process differs, so will the possible responses.
Psychological Factors
Coping Strategies
Men typically formulate different approaches to coping compared to women. They’re often dictated by social, cultural, and psychological factors. They also exhibit more behavioral responses to trauma, like substance use, sexual activity, risky behavior, and aggression.
Women lead with more emotion-focused options and prefer to talk through what they are feeling. They typically aren’t afraid to acknowledge what types of symptoms they’er feeling. Women are also more likely to seek out alternative strategies and professional services.
Men tend to be more problem-focused, attempting to make changes to their circumstances and avoid the trauma. They also are less inclined to have discussions about their feelings or seek out therapy.
Social Factors
Gender Roles
In certain cultures or social situations, men are depicted as strong and non-emotional. Masculinity is not associated with being vulnerable. Even after a trauma, men are encouraged to recover and carry on.
Women may face situations where they’re expected to show strength, but overall there is more encouragement to express themselves. Being vulnerable and asking for help is not seen as a sign of weakness or flaw.
Type of Trauma Experienced
Any type of trauma can be experienced by any person, but there are patterns in this area. Men are more likely to be exposed to physical violence or experience military-related traumas. Women are more likely to be victims of sexual violence and emotional trauma that can elicit different trauma reactions.
Traumas come in different shapes, sizes, and severity. The differences in how men and women handle and react to stress after an event are based on a mix of biological, psychological, and social factors. No matter how you’re responding to trauma, understanding your specific patterns can be helpful in finding healing.
Through trauma therapy sessions, we can work on identifying your personal patterns and develop effective coping strategies to meet your needs.
If you’re interested in taking this next step, reach out to our office to schedule a consultation.
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