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PCL-5 · 20 questions · about 6 min · answers are not stored

PCL-5 post-traumatic stress checklist

The 20-question PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, from the US Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD. It asks how much you have been bothered by post-traumatic stress symptoms in the past month, keeping your worst experience in mind.

This is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnosis. If you are in danger right now, contact your local emergency number or see the crisis page.

Keeping your worst event in mind, how much were you bothered by each problem in the past month?

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?

Your answers are scored for this one page and are not saved anywhere.

Source. 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) [Measurement instrument]. National Center for PTSD.

Licence. Developed by staff at the US Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD: public domain and not copyrighted. The VA states it is intended for use by qualified health professionals and researchers.

Official source