PTSD Self-Assessment

Instruction to patient: Below is a list of problems and complaints that veterans sometimes have in response to stressful life experiences

1 = Not at all 2 = A little bit 3 = Moderately 4 = Quite a bit 5 = A extremely

Questions Score
1 Repeated, disturbing memories, thoughts, or images of a stressful experience from the past?
2 Repeated, disturbing dreams of a stressful experience from the past?
3 Suddenly acting or feeling as if a stressful experience were happening again (as if you were reliving it)?
4 Feeling very upset when something reminded you of a stressful experience from the past?
5 Having physical reactions (e.g., heart pounding, trouble breathing, or sweating) when something reminded you of a stressful experience from the past?
6 Avoid thinking about or talking about a stressful experience from the past or avoid having feelings related to it?
7 Avoid activities or situations because they remind you of a stressful experience from the past?
8 Trouble remembering important parts of a stressful experience?
9 Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy?
10 Feeling distant or cut off from other people?
11 Feeling emotionally numb or being unable to have loving feelings for those close to you?
12 Feeling as if your future will somehow be cut short?
13 Trouble falling or staying asleep?
14 Feeling irritable or having angry outbursts?
15 Having difficulty concentrating?
16 Being “super-alert” or watchful or on guard?
17 Feeling jumpy or easily startled?

Weathers, F.W., Huska, J.A., Keane, T.M. PCL-C for DSM-IV. Boston: National Center for PTSD Behavioral Science Division, 1991.