1. Have you experienced a traumatic event that caused intense fear, helplessness, or horror?
PTSD can develop after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and depression.
2. Are you constantly thinking about the traumatic event?
People with PTSD may constantly think about the traumatic event that occurred. This can cause them to relive the experience over and over again.
3. Do you avoid reminders of the event?
People with PTSD may avoid anything that reminds them of the traumatic event. This may include people, places, things, or situations.
4. Do you have trouble sleeping because of flashbacks or nightmares related to the event?
People with PTSD may have trouble sleeping because of flashbacks or nightmares related to the traumatic event. These flashbacks and nightmares can be very vivid and cause a lot of distress.
5. Are your emotions out of control due to the event?
PTSD can cause people’s emotions to be out of control due to the trauma they experienced. This may include feeling angry, sad, scared, or ashamed often.
6. Do you feel numb or detached from others since the event occurred?
PTSD can cause people to feel numb or detached from others since the event occurred. This may be a way for them to protect themselves from feeling any more pain.
7. Are you irritable and angry a lot since the event occurred?
PTSD can cause people to be irritable and angry a lot since the event occurred. This is often a way for them to deal with their feelings and emotions.
8. Does your behavior change after the traumatic experience (e.g., increased alcohol or drug abuse, reckless driving)?
Some people with PTSD may exhibit risky behaviors as a way to cope with their feelings after experiencing a traumatic event. This could include abusing drugs or alcohol, driving recklessly, or engaging in other dangerous activities.
9. Are certain situations trigger memories of the traumatic experience?
Some people with PTSD may have triggers that remind them of the traumatic event. These triggers can vary from person to person, but may include certain sights, smells, sounds, or situations.
10. Do you feel like life is not worth living since the trauma occurred?
PTSD can cause people to feel like life is not worth living since the trauma occurred. This is often due to the intense emotional pain and suffering that they are experiencing. If you are feeling this way, it’s important to seek professional help immediately.