Truth That Hurts......

Trauma Symptom Checklist: Where to Begin

If you have been through a traumatic event, you may find it hard to talk about your experiences. But, it can be helpful to tell your doctor or a counselor about any symptoms you have. Witnessing or going through a trauma can lead to both emotional and physical problems.

The checklist below can be a good start to talking about your symptoms following a trauma. You can print this page, complete the checklist and show it to your doctor, therapist, or someone who can help you find care.

Sharing this information will help a health care provider know you better and plan the best treatment for you. Not everyone who goes through trauma will get PTSD, but keep in mind that good treatments are available even if you only have some PTSD symptoms.

Brief checklist of trauma symptoms

Check the symptoms below that you experience. Include symptoms you have even if you are not sure they are related to a traumatic event.

I experienced or witnessed a traumatic event during which I felt extreme fear, helplessness, or horror.

The event happened on (day/month/year) _______________.

What happened? ________________________________________.

1. I have symptoms of re-experiencing or reliving the traumatic event:
• Have bad dreams or nightmares about the event or something similar to it
• Behave or feel as if the event were happening all over again (this is known as having flashbacks)
• Have a lot of strong or intense feelings when I am reminded of the event
• Have a lot of physical sensations when I am reminded of the event (for example, my heart races or pounds, I sweat, find it hard to breathe, feel faint, feel like I'm going to lose control)

2. I have symptoms of avoiding reminders of the traumatic event:
• Avoid thoughts, feelings, or talking about things that remind me of the event
• Avoid people, places, or activities that remind me of the event
• Have trouble remembering some important part of the event

3. I have noticed these symptoms since the event happened:
• Have lost interest in, or just don't do, things that used to be important to me
• Feel detached from people; find it hard to trust people
• Feel emotionally "numb" or find it hard to have loving feelings even toward those who are emotionally close to me
• Have a hard time falling or staying asleep
• Am irritable and have problems with my anger
• Have a hard time focusing or concentrating
• Think I may not live very long and feel there's no point in planning for the future
• Am jumpy and get startled or surprised easily
• Am always "on guard"

4. I experience these medical or emotional problems:
• Stomach problems
• Intestinal (bowel) problems
• Gynecological (female) problems
• Weight gain or loss
• Pain, for example, in back, neck, or pelvic area
• Headaches
• Skin rashes and other skin problems
• Lack of energy; feel tired all the time
• Alcohol, drug, or other substance use problems
• Depression or feeling down
• Anxiety or worry
• Panic attacks
• Other symptoms such as: ______________________________

Summing it up

If you checked off some of the symptoms above, it is important for you to let your health care provider know. This information helps providers plan your medical treatment. It can also help them connect you with services you may need.

If you think you may have PTSD, print this checklist, fill it out, and take it to a health care provider, or someone you trust.

 (c) T.Vossen 2013

(FindLaw's Family Law Center)

Truth That Hurts......

Child Abuse: Definition

Child abuse is broadly defined in many states as any type of cruelty inflicted upon a child, including mental abuse, physical harm, neglect, and sexual abuse or exploitation. The specific crimes charged in instances of child abuse can include assault and battery. In many states, certain individuals and caregivers are required by law to report suspected child abuse. Nevertheless, unfortunately, many cases of child abuse go unreported.

A child who has been abused or neglected may experience a range of problems, such as relationship difficulties, lack of trust of adults, emotional outbursts (or retreat), low performance at school, depression, anxiety, and anger.

The Elements of a Child Abuse Charge

As noted above, child abuse is a crime that encompasses a variety of behaviors involving physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment or neglect upon a child. State child abuse laws define child abuse as any act (or failure to act) that:

1. Results in imminent risk or serious harm to a child's health and welfare due to physical, emotional, or sexual abuse;
2. affects a child (typically under the age of 18);
3. by a parent or caregiver who is responsible for the child's welfare.

In most states, the harm must have been inflicted by non-accidental means. This includes intentional acts, actions that were careless (such as, allowing a known sexual offender or known abuser to be with a child alone), and acts of negligence (such as, leaving a child under a certain age at home alone). Also, the "harm" inflicted upon a child need not be actual, but may include "threats" or "risks of imminent harm".

In addition to state child abuse laws, all states have child protective services (CPS) agencies that investigate reports of abuse and neglect of children in a home. CPS also serves to place children who have been abused or neglected in safer homes, either through adoption or foster care.

Typical defenses include accident, wrongful accusations, and a parent's right to discipline.

Mandatory Reporting Laws

Every state has mandatory reporting laws that require certain people to report apparent or suspected child abuse to a central authority, such as via a statewide toll-free hotline. The reports -- which are often anonymous -- are meant to promote early intervention of child abuse.

Many states require "any person" to report suspected child abuse, whereas other states require mandatory reporting by certain professional, such as doctors, nurses, social workers, school officials, day care workers, and law enforcement personnel. In some states, failing to report instances of child abuse is considered a misdemeanor punishable by fines, jail time, or both.

Examples of warning signs of abuse of a child may include:

• Physical abuse - unexplained burns, bites, bruises, and broken bones or parent's philosophy of harsh physical discipline
• Emotional abuse - extreme behavior, delayed physical or emotional development, attempted suicide, and belittling by a parent or caregiver
• Sexual abuse - difficulty walking or sitting, reports of nightmares or bedwetting, sudden changes in appetite, sudden refusal to change in front of others or participate in gym activities
• Neglect - frequent absences from school, obvious lack of medical or dental care, severe body odor, stays home alone

See also:

• Child Abuse Defenses
• Child Abuse Penalties and Sentencing
• State Child Abuse Laws
• Crimes Against Children Section.
• Child Abuse (FindLaw's Family Law Center)

cited from Find Laws Family Law Reasources

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Truth That Hurts......



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