Do I have PTSD?
If you have been through something difficult and are still affected by it, that is worth paying attention to. Trauma affects people in different ways, and there is no single "right" response. A screening can help you make sense of what you are experiencing.
Important: The screenings on this page are evidence-based tools used by clinicians and the VA healthcare system. They are not a diagnosis. They can help you understand your symptoms and decide whether to seek professional support. If you are in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Common signs of PTSD
PTSD symptoms generally fall into four categories. They can begin soon after a traumatic event or emerge months or years later. Not everyone experiences all of these, but recognizing them is an important first step.
Intrusion symptoms
Unwanted memories or flashbacks
Vivid, involuntary memories of the event that feel like they are happening again
Nightmares
Distressing dreams related to the traumatic event
Avoidance
Avoiding reminders
Steering clear of places, people, activities, or conversations that remind you of what happened
Emotional numbing
Trying not to think or feel anything about the event
Changes in thoughts and mood
Negative beliefs about yourself or the world
Persistent thoughts like "I am broken," "No one can be trusted," or "The world is completely dangerous"
Emotional disconnection
Feeling detached from others, loss of interest in activities, or inability to experience positive emotions
Hyperarousal
Being easily startled or on guard
Feeling constantly alert, jumpy, or on the lookout for danger (hypervigilance)
Irritability or angry outbursts
Heightened emotional reactivity, difficulty sleeping, or reckless behavior
If several of these resonate with your experience, a screening can help you understand the severity of what you are going through.
Take a free, clinically validated screening
These tools are used by the VA, trauma therapists, and researchers worldwide. They are free, private, and give you results immediately.
PCL-5
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Twenty questions assessing all four symptom clusters of PTSD. The most widely used PTSD self-report measure, developed by the National Center for PTSD.
PC-PTSD-5
A five-question primary care screen designed for a quick initial check. Uses yes/no questions to identify whether a more thorough assessment is recommended.
What to expect
Go at your own pace
The questions ask about your experiences in the past month. If any question feels difficult, take a moment. There is no time limit and you can stop at any point.
Get your results privately
Your score is calculated instantly. The PCL-5 uses a clinical cutoff of 33 to suggest probable PTSD. Results include an explanation of what your score means.
Choose what comes next
You can track your symptoms over time, share results with a trauma-informed therapist, or simply use the information to better understand your experience.
Related reading
What your PCL-5 score means
Understanding your PTSD screening results, score ranges, and what each symptom cluster measures.
PCL-5 vs. PC-PTSD-5: choosing the right assessment
When to use the quick screen and when the full assessment gives you a more complete picture.
Tracking recovery from trauma
How periodic screening helps you and your therapist measure progress through trauma recovery.
How to track your mental health over time
Why periodic screening matters and how to use your results to monitor progress.
Frequently asked questions
You do not have to figure this out alone
A screening takes a few minutes and can help you understand what you are going through. Your results are completely private.
Take the PCL-5 PTSD screening