Posted inMental Health

PTSD Test – Free Screening for Trauma Symptoms

Posted inMental Health

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Test

This screening test helps identify potential symptoms of PTSD based on experiences following a traumatic or disturbing event. PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing events such as natural disasters, serious accidents, physical or sexual assault, combat, or the sudden death of a loved one.

Please answer honestly about your experiences over the past month. Your responses are completely confidential and can help you determine if you should seek professional evaluation.

Test Information
Time Required: Approximately 5 minutes
Number of Questions: 17
Based on: PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist) and DSM-5 criteria
Important Notice This test is a screening instrument and is not intended to diagnose PTSD. Only a qualified mental health professional can provide an accurate diagnosis. If you are experiencing severe distress or having thoughts of self-harm, please seek immediate professional help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contacting your local emergency services.
1. Have you experienced or witnessed a traumatic event (such as combat, assault, accident, natural disaster, or sudden death of a loved one)?
2. In the past month, have you had repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the traumatic event?
3. In the past month, have you had repeated, disturbing dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event?
4. In the past month, have you suddenly felt or acted as if the traumatic event were actually happening again (flashbacks)?
5. In the past month, have you felt very upset when something reminded you of the traumatic event?
6. In the past month, have you had strong physical reactions when something reminded you of the traumatic event (such as heart pounding, trouble breathing, sweating)?
7. In the past month, have you avoided memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the traumatic event?
8. In the past month, have you avoided external reminders of the traumatic event (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations)?
9. In the past month, have you had trouble remembering important parts of the traumatic event?
10. In the past month, have you had strong negative beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world (such as “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted,” “The world is completely dangerous”)?
11. In the past month, have you blamed yourself or someone else for the traumatic event or what happened after it?
12. In the past month, have you had strong negative feelings such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame?
13. In the past month, have you had much less interest in activities you used to enjoy?
14. In the past month, have you felt distant or cut off from other people?
15. In the past month, have you had trouble experiencing positive feelings (such as being unable to feel happiness or have loving feelings for people close to you)?
16. In the past month, have you been irritable or had angry outbursts, or acted aggressively toward people or objects?
17. In the past month, have you taken too many risks or done things that could cause you harm?
18. In the past month, have you been “super alert,” watchful, or constantly on guard?
19. In the past month, have you felt jumpy or easily startled?
20. In the past month, have you had difficulty concentrating?
21. In the past month, have you had trouble falling or staying asleep?

References

  1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
  2. Weathers, F. W., Litz, B. T., Keane, T. M., Palmieri, P. A., Marx, B. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2013). The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Scale available from the National Center for PTSD.
  3. National Center for PTSD. (2024). PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
  4. Blevins, C. A., Weathers, F. W., Davis, M. T., Witte, T. K., & Domino, J. L. (2015). The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28(6), 489-498.
  5. Weiss, D. S., & Marmar, C. R. (1997). The Impact of Event Scale-Revised. In J. P. Wilson & T. M. Keane (Eds.), Assessing Psychological Trauma and PTSD (pp. 399-411). New York: Guilford Press.