PC-PTSD-5 Screening
PTSD test
This is the PC-PTSD-5, the brief post-traumatic stress screen used across primary care and the VA. It first asks whether you have experienced a frightening or traumatic event, then five yes/no questions about the past month. It flags whether a fuller evaluation is worth seeking — it is not a diagnosis.
Sometimes things happen that are frightening, horrible, or upsetting. In the past month, have you:
PC-PTSD-5 Your result
Your PC-PTSD-5 score
0 / 5
What this means
Sensible next steps
Curious how reliable it is? See how accurate the PC-PTSD-5 is.
By the numbers Context
How common is PTSD?
Trauma is far more common than the diagnosis suggests. Most adults experience at least one frightening or life-threatening event in their lives, and while most recover, a significant minority go on to develop PTSD. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about 3.6% of U.S. adults have PTSD in a given year and 6.8% at some point in their lives — and it is diagnosed roughly twice as often in women as in men, partly because of higher exposure to interpersonal trauma.
PTSD symptoms cluster into four groups: re-experiencing the event, avoiding reminders of it, negative shifts in mood and thinking, and being constantly on high alert. The PC-PTSD-5 is a very short screen built for busy clinics; it is highly sensitive, meaning it is designed to catch cases rather than to be precise, so a positive result is a prompt to seek a full evaluation from someone who treats trauma.
6.8%
of U.S. adults will experience PTSD in their lifetime
NIMH
3.6%
had PTSD in the past year
NIMH
≈2×
more common in women than men
NIMH
≈0.93
sensitivity of the PC-PTSD-5 screen
Prins, 2016
Sources: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) / Harvard NCS-R; Prins et al., Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2016.
Score guide Interpretation
What your PC-PTSD-5 score means
| Score | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| 0–2 | Below the PTSD screening threshold |
| 3–5 | A positive PTSD screen |
Frequently asked questions
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD symptoms fall into four groups: re-experiencing (intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks), avoidance of reminders, negative changes in mood and thinking (fear, guilt, detachment, harsh self-beliefs), and hyperarousal (being on guard, easily startled, irritable, poor sleep). A diagnosis involves symptoms from each group persisting after a traumatic event.
How do I get tested for PTSD?
A brief screen like the PC-PTSD-5 on this page is the usual first step — it flags whether a fuller evaluation is warranted. A formal diagnosis comes from a clinician (a doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist) who assesses your symptoms, the triggering event, and how they affect your life.
What is the difference between PTSD and complex PTSD?
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) includes all of PTSD plus three further features that come from prolonged, repeated trauma: persistent difficulty regulating emotions, a deeply negative self-concept, and ongoing difficulty in relationships. PTSD more often follows a single event; C-PTSD follows trauma that was sustained and inescapable.
What does “70% PTSD” mean?
That phrase refers to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating, not a test score. The VA assigns a percentage (0–100%) reflecting how much PTSD impairs a veteran’s functioning, which determines compensation. This screen does not produce a VA rating — it only indicates whether an evaluation is worthwhile.
Can an online test diagnose PTSD?
No. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose PTSD. The PC-PTSD-5 is a screen: it tells you whether your response to a frightening event has reached the point where professional help is worth seeking.
Is the PTSD test free and private?
Yes — free, no sign-up, and scored entirely in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.