Trauma Symptom Checklist

Below, there are a number of types of reactions people can have after a distressing or traumatic experience. These reactions can occur even some months or years after the event. Read carefully through the following sections noting those that are relevant to you. Have you experienced or witnessed one or more traumatic events during which you felt extreme fear, helplessness, or horror.

I find I re-experience or re-live the traumatic event, in one or more of the following ways.

  • Bad dreams or nightmares about the event or things linked to it
  • Behaving or feeling as if the event were actually happening all over again (this is known as having flashbacks)
  • Having a lot of emotional feelings when I am reminded of the event
  • Having a lot of physical sensations when I am reminded of the event (e.g., my heart races or pounds, I sweat, find it hard to breathe, feel faint, feel like I'm going to lose control)


I find I avoid any reminders of the traumatic event, such as...

  • Avoiding thoughts, conversations, or feelings that remind me about the event
  • Avoiding people, places, or activities that remind me of the event
  • Having difficulty remembering some important part of the event


I have noticed that since the event happened...

  • I have lost interest in, or just don't do, those things that used to be important to me
  • I feel detached from people; I find it hard to trust people
  • I feel emotionally 'numb' and I find it hard to have loving feelings even toward those who are emotionally close to me
  • I have a hard time falling or staying asleep
  • I am irritable and have problems with my anger
  • I have a hard time concentrating
  • I think I may not live very long and feel there's no point in planning for the future
  • I am jumpy and get startled easily
  • I am always 'on guard'


I have experienced medical or emotional problems since the event such as...

  • Aches and pains
  • Stomach upsets
  • Sleep problems
  • Skin problems
  • Irritability
  • Feeling depressed
  • Lack of energy or fatigued
  • Increased use of alcohol or other substance use problems
  • General anxiety or panic attacks


If you have ticked all or most of the above boxes, it is important for you to let your doctor know. This information is invaluable for planning your medical treatment. It can also help your doctor to refer you to other appropriate services.

Participating in the Centre's Research Programme
We are both a treatment and research Centre. Through our research we are able to learn more about the impact of traumatic experiences and to continually refine our treatment approach, from which patients continually benefit. We also cooperate and liaise with other trauma centres and clinicians in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in various parts of the world to continually improve our treatment approach. All members of the public, who have assessments or treatment with the Centre, will be asked if they would be willing to participate in the Centre's research programme.

Other matters relating to the treatment programme
The Centre's Troubles related treatment programme is restricted to the treatment of 50 persons per year. However, through our support for others working in this area, and our training & education programme, we are able to support the efforts of others who are addressing the impact of the Troubles. Where appropriate and with the consent of each patient, we will also liaise with other Centres and organisations involved in providing similar services to ensure that members of the public are assisted in making contact with the most appropriate service relevant to their needs at that time.

If you have any further questions about the work or approach of the Centre and its staff, or indeed any comments or suggestions, which might help us, improve our services, please speak to a member of staff at the Centre, or write to the Director or email us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .