My Ten Most Disturbing Trauma Symptoms PTSD Worksheet

What is Trauma and PTSD?

Trauma is a deeply disturbing or distressing experience that overwhelms a person and consequently affects their coping ability. Traumatic events come in many forms. Some are natural disasters, abuse, violence, accidents, and witnessing other traumatic incidents happen to another person.

Those who witness or experience a traumatic event can develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or . Common symptoms of a person diagnosed with PTSD are nightmares, avoidance of the situation associated with the event, adverse changes in thinking patterns and mood, hyperarousal or heightened violence, and intrusive memories or flashbacks of the event. These can significantly impact a person’s daily function, extending even beyond the initial trauma.

There are multiple causes of PTSD. They vary from one person to another despite experiencing the same traumatic event. However, those who experience trauma are most likely to develop PTSD if they have a genetic predisposition, have brain chemical imbalances, lack social support, or are previously exposed to traumatic events.

A combination of treatments like Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and medication are used to treat PTSD. Both are meant to help the patient process the traumatic experiences, manage symptoms, and develop coping strategies.

How to use the My Ten Most Disturbing Trauma Symptoms PTSD Worksheet:

Step One. Access and Download the Template

Access and download a printable digital version of the “My Ten Most Disturbing Trauma Symptoms PTSD Worksheet” by either:

• Clicking the “Download Template” or “Use Template”
• Searching “My Ten Most Disturbing Trauma Symptoms PTSD Worksheet” in Carepatron’s template library’s search bar on the website or app

Step Two. Fill Out the Template

During your session, give your client a copy of the template and the time and space to complete it. You may explain the template to them if they have questions or need certain sections clarified.

If they have difficulty thinking of the symptoms, you may either show them a sample template or have them answer the “Ranking Your Trauma Symptoms PTSD Worksheet” first.

Before they answer the worksheet, assure them they can take it slow, feel upset, take breaks to process their feelings, and answer it however they find comfortable.

Step Three. Discuss the Template

Once they’re finished, it’s best to discuss the template with the client in case you have any clarifications or want to give them an idea of the treatment plan.

Step Four. Securely Store the Template

Once the session is over, since the template carries sensitive information, you must store the completed worksheet in a secure physical location or on Carepatron, a HIPAA-compliant EHR where only relevant parties can access the document when needed.

When would you use this My Ten Most Disturbing Trauma Symptoms PTSD Worksheet?

Psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and any other licensed mental health professional can use the “My Ten Most Disturbing Trauma PTSD Worksheet” when the client:

• Is finished with the “Ranking Your Trauma Symptoms PTSD Worksheet” template
• Is about to start their treatment
• Is in the middle of their treatment plan, and you want to track progress or check the effectiveness of the formulated plan

Suppose you feel the patient will benefit from completing the worksheet without enumerating their symptoms beforehand or answering it at any point during their journey. In that case, you may have them fill it out. This is because, with your experience and client knowledge, you know best how to make the most of the template.

What are the benefits of using this My Ten Most Disturbing Trauma Symptoms PTSD Worksheet?

Improved Self-Awareness

To provide answers that’ll benefit both the client and the referring physician, the client will have to learn how to be more self-aware of their PTSD symptoms and discern which among them disturbs them the most. Doing this exercise hones their self-awareness skills and consequently improves them.

Insight into Your Client’s Condition

With the “My Ten Most Disturbing Trauma Symptoms PTSD Worksheet, the referring physician will know more about which symptom disrupts the client’s life the most. This knowledge will help the client tailor a treatment plan that will directly address the client's points of concern.

Digitally Accessible

The “My Ten Most Disturbing Trauma Symptoms PTSD Worksheet” is free to download as a PDF file but is recommended to be used as a digital file to make it more digitally accessible on any PDF editor you may have on hand. Aside from being accessible on any gadget, if you store the template on Carepatron, relevant parties can easily access the template when needed, no matter the time or place.

You can use the PTSD Worksheet Template to assist in the evaluation and management of post-traumatic stress disorder. This template provides a structured approach to identifying PTSD symptoms and tracking progress over time. Utilizing this worksheet can enhance your ability to develop targeted treatment plans and monitor your clients' responses to therapy.