PTSD flashbacks worksheet stimulus discrimination

What you are experiencing is caused by the remnants of the past. Your past cannot control you. You were in danger THEN but you are safe and sound NOW. Describe the situation that triggered traumatic memory then move on to highlighting the differences between the past and present. Practice breathing exercises before, during and after this worksheet if you feel the need to.

Describe the situation that triggered the unwanted memory

What are the differences between the situation THEN and your situation NOW?

(You could describe the environment, circumstances, time of the day, emotional reactions, physical reactions and bodily sensations, smells, sounds, people etc.)

THEN (from the traumatic event)

NOW (your present experience)

Reference

Ehlers A & Clark D. M. (2000) A cognitive model of posttraumatic stress disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 38(4), 319–45.

You can download more Mental Health worksheets here.

Please note: There may be a more up-to-date and editable version of this worksheet available here which may be more suitable to present to clients if you are a therapist or to use in a classroom as a teacher or guidance counsellor.