Chapter 39 - Trauma and gender in primary care

Abstract

Traumatized patients are more likely to present to primary care and other health care services than to mental health care providers. The present chapter covers gender differences from exposure and response to traumatic events to development and treatment of trauma-related disorders. Gender affects the type of traumatic events to which men and women are exposed, how they respond, and the subsequent sequelae they suffer. For both men and women, psychological trauma is associated with extensive mental and somatic morbidity, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some symptoms are clearly linked to the traumatic event whereas others are not. These may substantially complicate the treatment of patients in primary care. If detected, trauma-related disorders can be treated with either pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy, though there may be gender differences in the outcomes associated with both approaches. The present chapter aims to raise awareness for the importance of trauma and gender in primary care so that healthcare providers may become better equipped to identify and treat traumatized patients, hopefully preventing traumatic sequelae from becoming chronic.