Detailed PTSD Assessment (PCL-5)

For the curious: There are lots of different PTSD assessments. The rather lengthy CAPS-5 is frequently called “the gold standard.” But research shows that the CAPS-5, newer CAPS-5-R, and PCL-5 all have very high clinical validity. In other words, they all work very well, and about equally well, to identify people with PTSD.

The short, four-question version of the PCL-5 also has very high clinical validity, which is why I include it on this site. But the full twenty-question version is a great way to explore your symptoms in more detail, and to better understand how treatment is improving them. And if your score on the short version seemed ambiguous, taking the long version may give you more insight.

When you answer these questions, think about any difficult experiences that have been coming up for you lately, and what effects you’ve experienced over the past month.

How often have you been experiencing…

1 / 20

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

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

2 / 20

2. Repeated, disturbing dreams of the stressful experience?

Not at all

A little bit

Moderately

Quite a bit

Extremely

3 / 20

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

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

4 / 20

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

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

5 / 20

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

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

6 / 20

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

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

7 / 20

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

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

8 / 20

8. Trouble remembering important parts of the stressful experience?

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

9 / 20

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)?

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

10 / 20

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

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

11 / 20

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

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

12 / 20

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

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

13 / 20

13. Feeling distant or cut off from other people?

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

14 / 20

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

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

15 / 20

15. Irritable behavior, angry outbursts, or acting aggressively?

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

16 / 20

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

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

17 / 20

17. Being “superalert,” watchful, or on guard?

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

18 / 20

18. Feeling jumpy or easily startled?

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

19 / 20

19. Having difficulty concentrating?

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

20 / 20

20. Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?

Not at all (0-1 times)

A little bit (2-3 times)

Moderately (4-8 times total, OR about once or twice a week)

Quite a bit (several times a week, or all the time for more than a week)

Extremely (half the days or more)

0%

Detailed PTSD Assessment (PCL-5)

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