PTSD Test

PTSD-test-patient-by-window
Image by Jerzy Górecki

This free PTSD test (post-traumatic stress disorder test) is for informational purposes only, but is a valid, research-based screening that we are making available to you with the permission of the National Center for PTSD. This PTSD test is not intended to diagnose or treat any mental illness, and should not take the place of evaluation by a licensed behavioral healthcare professional.

This test is what’s called a “self-reported” screening tool because it relies on your answers to questions about your state of mind, symptoms, and behavior. Self-reporting is quite common in psychology and can be an invaluable tool for people to determine the severity of their condition. Like the popular Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test (MBTI), this PTSD test and other self-reported tools are readily available to the public. However, as mentioned above, it relies on your answers, so the results can be biased by your perspective even when you are being honest and impartial. Not everyone possesses the self-awareness to assess their own symptoms, and of course not everyone is affected by PTSD symptoms in the same way. The way the questions are written can influence answers, and sometimes they can be misinterpreted. And of course, the rating scale on our PTSD test, although carefully calibrated to reflect the DSM-5 standards by the National Center for PTSD, may be inappropriate for your situation.

These reasons–and our strong belief in the skills and training of our team of experienced psychologists–are why we say that this PTSD test is for informational purposes only. If you suspect you are suffering from PTSD, please don’t hesitate to contact the Anxiety Treatment Center of Austin for a free phone consultation with a licensed psychologist.

Below is a list of problems that people sometimes have in response to a very stressful experience involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. It could be something that happened to you directly, something you witnessed, or something you learned happened to a close family member or close friend. Some examples are a serious accident; fire; disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake; physical or sexual attack or abuse; war; homicide; or suicide. If you are seeking a free PTSD test for your symptoms, simply answer these 20 questions and you will be presented with a confidential test result at the end. No email or credit card required.

In the past month, how much were you bothered by repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the stressful experience?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by repeated, disturbing dreams of the stressful experience?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by suddenly feeling or acting as if the stressful experience were actually happening again (as if you were actually back there reliving it)?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by feeling very upset when something reminded you of the stressful experience?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by having strong physical reactions when something reminded you of the stressful experience (for example, heart pounding, trouble breathing, sweating)?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by avoiding memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the stressful experience?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by avoiding external reminders of the stressful experience (for example, people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations)?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by trouble remembering important parts of the stressful experience?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by 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)?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by blaming yourself or someone else for the stressful experience or what happened after it?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by having strong negative feelings such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by feeling distant or cut off from other people?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by trouble experiencing positive feelings (for example, being unable to feel happiness or have loving feelings for people close to you)?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by irritable behavior, angry outbursts, or acting aggressively?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by taking too many risks or doing things that could cause you harm?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by being “superalert” or watchful or on guard?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by feeling jumpy or easily startled?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by having difficulty concentrating?

 
 
 
 
 

In the past month, how much were you bothered by trouble falling or staying asleep?

 
 
 
 
 

Question 1 of 20

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) – Standard [Measurement instrument].