Symptom checklist
Have you experienced or seen something that involved death, injury, torture or abuse and felt very scared or helpless?
Have you then experienced any of the following:
- upsetting memories, flashbacks or dreams of the event?
- feeling physically and psychologically distressed when something reminds you of the event
If you answered yes to all of these questions, have you also experienced at least two of the following:
- had trouble remembering important parts of the event
- had very negative beliefs about yourself, others or the world
- persistently blamed yourself or others for what happened
- persistently felt negative, angry, guilty or ashamed
- felt less interested in doing things you used to enjoy
- feeling cut off from others
- had trouble feeling positive emotions (e.g. love or excitement)
And have you experienced at least two of the following:
- had difficulties sleeping (e.g. had bad dreams, or found it hard to fall or stay asleep)
- felt easily angered or irritated
- engaged in reckless or self-destructive behaviour
- had trouble concentrating
- felt on guard or vigilant
- been easily startled?
If all these things have been happening for a month or more, you may be experiencing post traumatic stress disorder.