2. PSYCHOLOGICAL AFTERSHOCK TEST
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The most insidious thing about Psychological Aftershock (PTSD) is that victims are, more often than not, deluded into thinking that their prevailing problems are caused by current activities such as too much work, poor relationships or from outside invaders like germs or viruses.
Family members, friends and often the victims themselves feel that the damaged person is malingering, loafing or just plain lazy when, in fact, the victim is suffering from the PTSD. That's why it is important that we recognize the symptoms of Psychological Aftershock.
The sign-posts of Psychological Aftershock can result in symptoms showing up in a deterioration of physical, mental and emotional and/or social and work related areas or a combination of any or all of these. Without the correct, expert professional help from someone who can administer an effective debriefing of the disaster, plus can use safe and predictable ways to wash away past hurts and destructive body memories, a breakdown is inevitable in one or more of these areas.
(Make a check where symptoms apply to you or a loved one.)
AFTER A CRISIS, TRAUMA OR EXTREME/PROLONGED STRESS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED:
Physical symptoms
- An immune system slow-down resulting in a combination of any or all of these. Without the correct, expert professional help from someone who can administer an effective debriefing of the disaster, plus a safe and can use predictable ways to wash away past hurts and destructive body memories, a breakdown is inevitable in one or more of these areas.(Make a check where symptoms apply to you or a loved one.)
Physical symptoms
- An immune system slow-down resulting in:frequent colds.
gastrointestinal problems, including flatulence, diarrhea, constipation.
nausea.
eating disorders, overeating, anorexia, bulimia, inability to keep food down.
skin rashes.
hair loss.
low energy.
chest pains.
hyperventilation.
headaches.
allergies.
muscle spasms.
back pains.
Stress-related disorders:
high blood pressure.
excessive drinking and /or substance abuse.
Grinding of teeth - consciously and unconsciously.
heart attack(s).
cancer.
eating problems: overeating, anorexia, bulimia
Mental and emotional symptoms:
mood swings.
irritability.
argumentativeness.
rage.
anxiety.
phobia(s) -Avoidance of, or excessive fear of, a situation or object.
obsessive or compulsive behavior.
depression.
loneliness.
guilt.
fear of going crazy.
Super alertness or hyper-alertness.
Being easily startled or spooked.
Sporadic and unpredictable explosions of aggression even over little things.
Sleep disturbances such as difficulty
falling asleep, recurring nightmares during which the traumatic event is
relived, awakening in the middle of the night, or waking too early and being
unable to go back to sleep.
Survivor's guilt which is feeling
guilty because of living when others died or guilt relating to methods of
survival.
Feeling that no one but you has ever felt this way.
Greater intensity of stressful symptoms when exposed to events similar to, or
symbolizing the traumatic event.
Indecisiveness and difficultly thinking clearly.
Mistrust in personal judgment.
Thoughts of suicide and/or other self-defeating behavior.
Impaired memory (losing things, misplacing things, forgetting appointments,)
Concentration problems with lack of focus and short attention span.
Difficulty in completing tasks.
Inability to set priorities.
Indecisiveness, difficulty in thinking clearly.
Avoidance of activities that arouse memories of the traumatic event (including counseling or psychotherapy.)
Psychic numbness symptoms:
being withdrawn.
lethargic.
loss of interest in intimate relationships and sex.
loss of interest in school, work, recreational activities or family life, getting and losing jobs.
Accident proneness.
Procrastination.
Alcohol and/or drug abuse.
Being supported by someone else. (Spouse, family and/or government agency.
Depression and/or suicidal thoughts.
SCORING: If you have checked THREE or more of the above symptoms, you or your loved one may be suffering PSYCHOLOGICAL AFTERSHOCK as a result of a trauma, disaster, catastrophe or extreme or prolonged stress. You may want to investigate the Audio Cassette Programs on the Buy Books and Tapes page or seek an expert.
For more information click the Buy Books and Tapes button or call the Stress Management Center/Phobia Institute 828-258-1311 or drdossey@drdossey.com
An expert professional is a disaster or trauma expert and a phobia and stress expert. An expert can quickly and safely determine your needs, tell you specifically what they're going to do and how long it will take.
(NOTE: These tests were developed by Dr. Dossey from his over 20 years of research in anxiety disorders, phobias and stress; the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - III Revised published by the American Psychiatric Association. The results of these tests should not, however, be construed as the final analysis. An appropriate health care professional, expert in the area of PTSDs, should be consulted for positive diagnosis and treatment.)
NOTE: The
recommendations and suggestions included in this document are intended to
improve psychological and physical preparedness in case of a crisis, disaster or
trauma. However, they do not guarantee the safety of any individual or family
member. Neither the publisher nor author assumes liability for any injury,
psychological or physical, which may occur in connection with any disaster,
trauma, or crisis. Information based on material developed at the Stress
Management Center/Phobia Institute in Asheville, NC.