Section · physical

Physical Indicators

The Body's Alarm System. Trauma is stored in the body. Your body keeps score long before your mind admits there is a problem.

Read the following statements. Check the boxes that apply to your experiences. Be honest with yourself. No one else will see this.

• I am constantly on alert, scanning for threats even when I am off-duty.
• I struggle with sleep, either falling asleep, staying asleep, or I have recurring nightmares.
• I have an exaggerated startle response to loud noises or sudden movements.
• I feel a deep, persistent fatigue that rest does not seem to fix.
• I suffer from chronic aches, pains, or muscle tension with no clear medical cause.
• I experience frequent digestive issues, like an upset stomach or acid reflux.
• My heart races or my breathing becomes shallow in non-stressful situations.