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PCL-5: a post-traumatic stress self-check
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Below is a list of problems people sometimes have in response to a very stressful experience. Please indicate how much you have been bothered by each problem in the past month.
0 of 20 answered
| Question | Not at all | A little bit | Moderately | Quite a bit | 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? |
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?
Please answer the highlighted question. Every item counts toward an accurate score.
Please don't carry this alone
Some of your answers suggest you may be having thoughts of self-harm, or things feel very heavy right now. Support is available right now: Lifeline 13 11 14 · Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 · 13YARN 13 92 76 · in an emergency call 000. You can also see our urgent help page, and if you'd like us to call you, share your details below.
That's a lot to be carrying
Your answers put you in the higher range for this check. That isn't a diagnosis, but it does suggest things have been hard, and it's worth talking to someone. A psychologist or your GP is a good place to start, and you can book with us or share your result below.
If things ever feel urgent: Lifeline 13 11 14 · Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 · in an emergency call 000.
A one-page, clinician-written summary, made to print or keep on your phone.
About this instrument: Weathers et al. (2013). The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). U.S. National Center for PTSD. This self-check is provided for information only and does not replace professional assessment.
