PTSD Self-Assessment Screening Tool

The PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) is a standardised, public domain self-report measure widely used by clinicians and researchers. This tool provides a preliminary indication of PTSD symptom severity. Complete all 20 questions based on your experiences over the past month.

Important Disclaimer: This screening tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a clinical diagnosis. Only a licensed mental health professional can diagnose PTSD. If you are in crisis or experiencing severe distress, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visit your nearest emergency department. Find a licensed therapist in San Diego →

Below is a list of problems that people sometimes have in response to a very stressful experience. Please read each problem carefully and then circle one of the numbers to the right to indicate how much you have been bothered by that problem in the past month.

0 — Not at all 1 — A little bit 2 — Moderately 3 — Quite a bit 4 — Extremely

1 Repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the stressful experience?

2 Repeated, disturbing dreams of the stressful experience?

3 Suddenly feeling or acting as if the stressful experience were actually happening again (as if you were actually back there reliving it)?

4 Feeling very upset when something reminded you of the stressful experience?

5 Having strong physical reactions when something reminded you of the stressful experience (for example, heart pounding, trouble breathing, sweating)?

6 Avoiding memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the stressful experience?

7 Avoiding external reminders of the stressful experience (for example, people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations)?

8 Trouble remembering important parts of the stressful experience?

9 Having strong negative beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world (for example, having thoughts such as: I am bad, there is something seriously wrong with me, no one can be trusted, the world is completely dangerous)?

10 Blaming yourself or someone else for the stressful experience or what happened after it?

11 Having strong negative feelings such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame?

12 Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy?

13 Feeling distant or cut off from other people?

14 Trouble experiencing positive feelings (for example, being unable to feel happiness or have loving feelings for people close to you)?

15 Irritable behavior, angry outbursts, or acting aggressively?

16 Taking too many risks or doing things that could cause you harm?

17 Being 'superalert' or watchful or on guard?

18 Feeling jumpy or easily startled?

19 Having difficulty concentrating?

20 Trouble falling or staying asleep?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PCL-5 and is it accurate?

The PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) is a 20-item self-report measure developed by the National Center for PTSD. It is widely used in clinical settings and research to assess the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms. It has strong reliability and validity evidence, but it is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A score should always be interpreted by a trained clinician.

What score indicates PTSD?

A provisional PTSD diagnosis is typically indicated by a total score of 33 or higher, though cut-point scores can vary by clinical context (range: 31–33). Scores are also interpreted symptom-cluster by symptom-cluster. A score alone does not constitute a diagnosis — only a licensed mental health professional can make that determination.

What should I do if I score high on this screening?

A high score suggests it would be worth speaking with a mental health professional, particularly one with trauma experience. You do not need to be in crisis to seek support — many people find EMDR therapy, cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and prolonged exposure therapy effective. Our directory can help you find a therapist in San Diego who specialises in trauma treatment.

Is my screening response stored or shared?

No. This tool runs entirely in your browser (client-side JavaScript). Your answers are never sent to any server, stored in a database, or shared with any third party. Once you close or refresh the page, all responses are gone. This is designed to feel safe and private.

What types of trauma is PTSD associated with?

PTSD can develop following many types of traumatic events, including combat exposure, sexual or physical assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, childhood abuse, the sudden death of a loved one, and witnessing violence. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD — it depends on a complex mix of biological, psychological, and social factors.