Neuroplastic Pain Screening
This screening tool, created by the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (http://symptomatic.me), will help you to determine the likelihood that your chronic pain or symptoms are neuroplastic. Neuroplastic Symptoms (NS), or mind/body symptoms (also sometimes referred to as TMS), are hard-wired into your nervous system and due to stress, unresolved internal conflicts and subconscious emotions rather than due to an injury or structural problem. The higher your score on this screening tool, the greater the likelihood that your chronic pain can be cured with a mind/body approach in psychotherapy. Pain Reprocessing Therapy and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy are evidence-based psychological treatments for NS that helps patients recover from, rather than learn to live with, chronic symptoms.
Has your doctor completed diagnostic testing without finding a definite cause for your pain or illness?
40% of people who see a doctor have NS (neuroplastic symptoms). When a complete medical evaluation is normal, the probability of NS is much higher than 40%.
Has your physician diagnosed your symptoms as being caused by organ disease or structural damage, but your condition is not improving as expected?
In some people, pain or illness fails to improve because NS are contributing. Healing of most physical injury is complete in 6 weeks or less.
Have you had more than one symptom for longer than six months?
The more symptoms you have and the longer they persist, the more likely NS are contributing. However, many people with NS have just one pain or illness.
Are your symptoms located in different areas of the body or do they move to different locations?
The more different places you have symptoms, the more likely NS are contributing. Symptoms that change their location often are linked to NS.
Are your symptoms increased by stress or thinking about stressful situations?
When this is true NS are likely contributing to your condition.
Would you describe yourself as highly detail-oriented, highly self-critical, a perfectionist or do you routinely put the needs of others ahead of your own needs?
These personality traits are often acquired from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) which can be anything you would never want a child of your own to go through. Fortunately, these issues can be successfully treated.
Are people who caused stress for you as a child still active in your life?
Setting boundaries to limit this stress can be challenging. This can lead to NS. Fortunately, this issue can be successfully treated.
Have you experienced a significant amount of stress in your life recently?
High levels of stress are common in people with NS. Symptoms often improve if the stresses are reduced.
In the last two weeks, have you often felt nervous, anxious or on edge or have you been unable to stop or control worrying?
This can be an indication of an Anxiety Disorder, which can worsen NS. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is a reliable source for additional information.
In the last two weeks, have you often felt little interest or pleasure in doing things or have you felt down, depressed, or hopeless?
This can be an indication of Depression, which can worsen NS. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is a reliable source for additional information.
Did your symptoms begin soon after a terrifying, traumatic, or horrifying event or after a triggering event that is linked to that trauma?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common cause of NS. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is a reliable source for additional information.
If you learned that a child you care about was experiencing everything you did as a child, would you feel sad or angry?
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can be traumatic and obvious or subtle and difficult to recall. All ACEs can contribute to NS in adults
