PCL-5

PTSD Checklist for DSM-5

De-identify everything. Never enter client names, dates of birth, record numbers, or other identifying information anywhere on Meridian.

Content note: The PCL-5 asks about symptoms in response to a specific stressful or traumatic experience. Identify that experience before completing the items, and consider using it in a supported setting — reviewing trauma symptoms can be distressing. This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.

Your privacy: Screening results are stored only on this device and are never sent to our servers. You can share results with your provider using a secure link.

In the past month, how much were you bothered by these problems — in response to a specific stressful experience?

Repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the stressful experience
Repeated, disturbing dreams of the stressful experience
Suddenly feeling or acting as if the stressful experience were actually happening again (as if you were actually back there reliving it)
Feeling very upset when something reminded you of the stressful experience
Having strong physical reactions when something reminded you of the stressful experience (for example, heart pounding, trouble breathing, sweating)
Avoiding memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the stressful experience
Avoiding external reminders of the stressful experience (for example, people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations)
Trouble remembering important parts of the stressful experience
Having strong negative beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world (for example: I am bad, there is something seriously wrong with me, no one can be trusted, the world is completely dangerous)
Blaming yourself or someone else for the stressful experience or what happened after it
Having strong negative feelings such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy
Feeling distant or cut off from other people
Trouble experiencing positive feelings (for example, being unable to feel happiness or have loving feelings for people close to you)
Irritable behavior, angry outbursts, or acting aggressively
Taking too many risks or doing things that could cause you harm
Being “superalert” or watchful or on guard
Feeling jumpy or easily startled
Having difficulty concentrating
Trouble falling or staying asleep

Score

0/20 answered

0/ 80

Answer every item to see the severity interpretation.

About this instrument

A 20-item self-report measure of the DSM-5 symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Each item is rated 0–4 for how much it bothered the person in the past month, in response to an identified stressful experience. The PCL-5 supports both a total symptom-severity score and a provisional diagnosis based on the DSM-5 symptom clusters (B, C, D, and E). It is a screening and monitoring tool, not a substitute for a structured diagnostic interview such as the CAPS-5.

Weathers FW, Litz BT, Keane TM, Palmieri PT, Marx BP, Schnurr PP. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). National Center for PTSD, 2013. A provisional PTSD diagnosis requires ≥1 item in cluster B and ≥1 in cluster C, plus ≥2 in cluster D and ≥2 in cluster E, each rated moderately (2) or higher. Public instrument developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Learn more

Trauma & PTSDA trauma-informed look at what trauma is, PTSD versus complex PTSD, the window of tolerance, and what heals it.15 min read Trauma-Informed CareThe practitioner's framework: the four R's, SAMHSA's six principles, applying trauma-informed care in clinical settings, and avoiding re-traumatization.13 min read Self-Harm & Safety PlanningWhat non-suicidal self-injury is, why people self-harm, how to support someone, and the evidence-based safety planning framework used by clinicians.14 min read

Find trauma and PTSD support across NHBrowse verified NH resources — this screen doesn't store or send anything you entered.