Test Yourself

The purpose of this page is to give trauma survivors and their families information, allow them to assess their situation and decide if they need professional help. In the weeks following trauma many survivors experience symptoms that characterize Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For most people, these symptoms decrease or disappear entirely over time, and are replaced by coping behaviors and a return to daily routine. This process is completely normal. However, for some people these symptoms continue and may become stronger. It is then recommended to turn to professional help in order to deal with the situation.

The most important rule for dealing with posttraumatic symptoms is simple:

• In the event that the feelings you experience disrupt your everyday life, your daily functioning or the lives of those around you for an extended period of time -- ask for help.
• In the event that you feel that thoughts and feelings connected to the trauma fill up your day and affect your ability to enjoy yourself and be happy -- ask for help.
• In the event that you feel more and more disconnected from the things that you found helpful in the past, such as friends, various activities and beliefs -- ask for help.

The characteristics of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, detailed below, represent the wide range of the symptoms of this disorder. Most trauma survivors experience some of these symptoms in the days following the trauma, and sometimes even for a few weeks following the trauma. If you, or the people close to you, experience a number of the symptoms detailed below over a lengthy period of time, check how you can help yourself or turn for professional help.

Check the following symptoms that apply to you:

A. Re-experiencing

Do you:

• Feel that you are continuously reliving the experience in disturbing thoughts, pictures or feelings related to the trauma?
• Suffer from nightmares dealing with the trauma?
• Have flashbacks and repeatedly feel that you are back in the trauma?
• Feel stress, distress and anxiety when exposed to things connected to the trauma you went through?

B. Avoidance

Do you:

• Avoid thoughts, conversations or feelings- related to the event?
• Avoid places, activities or people who remind you of the trauma?
• Take less interest in things that you used to enjoy?
• Feel that you cannot experience happiness, joy, love and other positive emotions?
• Have difficulty imagining the future?

C. Heightened Awareness

Do you:

• Have difficulty falling asleep?
• Feel annoyed and become angry for no discernable reason?
• Have difficulty concentrating and studying?
• Feel tense all the time without knowing why?
• Jump at every loud noise or sudden movement?

D. Addictive substances

Have you:

• Started drinking alcohol after the trauma, in order to give yourself a rest from the disturbing thoughts and feelings?
• Used drugs in order to stop feeling so bad after the traumatic event?

E. Feelings of guilt

Do you:

• Feel guilty that you did survive the traumatic event?
• Feel guilty about the way you acted during the traumatic event?

F. Detached

Do you:

• Find yourself at times detached from yourself and can't remember what you did in the past few minutes or even hours?
• Feel that you are "not yourself" and are watching yourself from a distance?

If you are suffering from one or more of these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, and you feel that these symptoms are not getting better but may actually be getting worse, we recommend that you turn to professional help at one of the many centers that deal with trauma survivors. There are several different types of trauma treatment available, and most treatments are effective and provide significant relief to the trauma survivor.

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