PCL-5 [PTSD Checklist]

The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that assesses the 20 DSM-5 symptoms of PTSD over the past month. It is commonly used both for screening and monitoring purposes.

Created by staff at the US Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD. It is in the public domain and not copyrighted.

More: www.ptsd.va.gov

Below is a list of problems that people sometimes have in response to a very stressful experience. Please read each problem carefully and then select the answer to indicate how much you have been bothered by that problem in the past month.

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?


 

Self-report scales are for screening purposes only, and must be interpreted by a qualified health professional in conjunction with clinical assessment. They cannot be used alone for diagnostic or treatment purposes.