Easing the Pain of PTSD

PTSD Myths

Nationl Center for PTSD

Veterans PTSD Manual

VVA Guide for PTSD

Vet's Claim Resources

PTSD Information Center

PTSD Symptoms

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Check the symptoms below that you experience (that may or may not be related to a traumatic event) and make notes as needed:

I experienced or witnessed a traumatic event during which I felt extreme fear, helplessness, or horror.

The event happened on (day/month/year) ____ /____ /_________

What happened?______________________________________________________________________________________________

(1) I have symptoms of reexperiencing or re-living the traumatic event:

Bad dreams or nightmares about the event or something similar

Behaving or feeling as if the event were actually happening all over again (this is known as having flashbacks)

Having a lot of emotional feelings when I am reminded of the event

Having a lot of physical sensations when I am reminded of the event (e.g., my heart races or pounds, I sweat, find it hard to breathe, feel faint, feel like I'm going to lose control)

(2) I have symptoms of avoiding reminders of the traumatic event:

Avoiding thoughts, conversations, or feelings that remind me about the event

Avoiding people, places, or activities that remind me of the event

Having difficulty remembering some important part of the event

(3) I have noticed that since the event happened:

I have lost interest in, or just don't do, things that used to be important to me

I feel detached from people; I find it hard to trust people

I feel emotionally "numb" and I find it hard to have loving feelings even toward those who are emotionally close to me

I have a hard time falling or staying asleep

I am irritable and have problems with my anger

I have a hard time concentrating

I think I may not live very long and feel there's no point in planning for the future

I am jumpy and get startled easily

I am always "on guard"

(4) I experience these medical or emotional problems:

Stomach problems

Intestinal problems

Gynecological problems

Weight gain or loss

Chronic pain (e.g., in my back, neck, pelvic area (in women))

Problems getting to sleep

Problems staying asleep

Headaches

Skin rashes and other skin problems

Irritability, a quick temper, and other anger problems

Nightmares

Depression

Lack of energy, chronic fatigue

Alcoholism and other substance use problems

General anxiety

Anxiety (panic) attacks

Other symptoms such as: _______________________________________________________________________________________

HQ Battery 2/12

Combat PTSD

Understanding Combat Stress

PTSD Links