Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)


PCL-5 PTSD Checklist Questionnaire - screen yourself for PTSD The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist is known as the PCL, it is a self-screening tool to help in the diagnosis of PTSD. The PCL probable diagnosis of PTSD; a definitive diagnosis can only be given by an appropriately qualified clinician.[1]
The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist has four different versions, the version which is most suitable in your case depends on either the psychiatric manual being used for the clinician, or the type of stressful experience that has/may have caused the problems you experience. The different PCL versions are:
  • PCL-5 for PTSD diagnosis using the new DSM-5 psychiatric manual (released 2013)
  • PCL-C for Civilians, for diagnosis using the DSM-IV psychiatric manual
  • PCL-M for Military veterans or service personnel, for diagnosis using the DSM-IV psychiatric manual
  • PCL-S for non-military use, based on a Specific very stressful event rather than multiple events, for diagnosis using the DSM-IV psychiatric manual [2],[3],[4]

PCL-5: Posttraumatic Checklist for DSM-5

Instructions: There is one question about the stressful experience or event, followed by 20 multiple-choice questions below. These questions have been designed for adults.[1] If you prefer you can download a printable version of this screening tool instead (external link). The questions below are from the PCL-5, which applies to all types of stressful experiences.[1]
Disclaimer
This self-assessment tool is not a substitute for clinical diagnosis or advice. By using the tool you agree to accept that the website's owner and contributors are not responsible or liable for the outcome of the tool, the accuracy of the calculations, or any decisions or events which result from using it. You can use the feedback form to report any mistake. This website does not provide medical advice.
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A person who has had an extremely stressful experience may have many a range of different problems as a result of the stressful experience. Some people have had more than one extremely stressful experience. For each of the questions below, keep your worst experience or event in mind, please read each problem carefully and then select one response to indicate how much you have been bothered by that problem in the past month.

Description of the specific, worst stressful experience you are holding in mind (not scored):
This box can be used by a clinician and compared against the types of "qualifying event" that are known to be possible causes of PTSD.

In the past month, how much were you bothered by:

1. Repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the stressful experience?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
2. Repeated, disturbing dreams of the stressful experience?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
3. Suddenly feeling or acting as if the stressful experience were actually happening again (as if you were actually back there reliving it)?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
4. Feeling very upset when something reminded you of the stressful experience?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
5. Having strong physical reactions when something reminded you of the stressful experience (for example, heart pounding, trouble breathing, sweating)?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
6. Avoiding memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the stressful experience?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately Quite a bit  Extremely
7. Avoiding external reminders of the stressful experience (for example, people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations)?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately Quite a bit  Extremely
8. Trouble remembering important parts of the stressful experience?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
9. Having strong negative beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world (for example, having thoughts such as: l am bad, there is something seriously wrong with me, no one can be trusted, the world is completely dangerous)?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
10. Blaming yourself or someone else for the stressful experience or what happened after it?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
11. Having strong negative feelings such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
12. Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
13. Feeling distant or cut off from other people?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
14. Trouble experiencing positive feelings (for example, being unable to feel happiness or have loving feelings for people close to you)?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
15. Irritable behavior, angry outbursts, or acting aggressively?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
16. Taking too many risks or doing things that could cause you harm?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
17. Being "superalert" or watchful or on guard?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
18. Feeling jumpy, or easily startled?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
19. Having difficulty concentrating?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
20. Trouble falling or staying asleep?
Not at all  A little bit  Moderately  Quite a bit  Extremely 
PCL-5, © Weathers, F. W., Litz, B. T., Keane, T. M., Palmieri, P. A., Marx, B. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2013).
Scoring
The score is worked out by adding up the number of points for each answer. The minimum score is 0, the maximum is 80. Press Calculate Result to see your score.

 

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Result
 
 
 
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Result Explained

There are several different ways of interpreting the scores given by the PTSD Checklist-5.[5] For a person to have a probable diagnosis of PTSD sufficient criteria must be at least moderately met in each of the four symptom groups.[1] This means you need to have one or more symptoms from questions 1 to 5, either question 6 or 7, two or more from questions 8 to 14, and two or more from questions 15 to 20, each of which must be met moderately, quite a bit or extremely.[1] In addition, a score of 38 or higher indicates probable PTSD in veterans; the score may be set higher or lower for civilians; no agreement has been reached yet since it was only developed after the DSM-5 was published in 2013. A lower cut off may be used for initial screening rather than probable diagnosis, the maximum score is 80. [1], [5] For those people already diagnosed, it can be used to measure improvement (see below).
A definite diagnosis can only be given by a clinician, and depends on the details of the extremely stressful experience described at the top of the form and the effect on the individual, a clinician would also need to ask questions about the problems to check the person's understanding of each question and that the PTSD criteria are fully met. The PCL-5 scores are not comparable with scores from the PCL-C, PCL-M or PCL-S because the number of questions and points per question differ.[1]

Measuring improvements in PTSD

The PCL5-PTSD tool can be used multiple times after diagnosis to assess the change in PTSD symptoms over time. A reduction of 5 points has been suggested to reflect a reliable reduction in symptoms, meaning the change is not caused by chance. This can be used to check if an individual's symptoms are responding to treatment. A 10-20 point reduction reflects clinically significant change.[1] Back to top
References

1. Weathers, F. W., Litz, B. T., Keane, T. M., Palmieri, P. A., Marx, B. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2014, February 5). PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). National Center for PTSD. Retrieved June 3, 2015, from http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/adult-sr/ptsd-checklist.asp
2. Weathers, F. W., Litz, B. T., Herman, D., Huska, J., & Keane, T. (1994). The PTSD checklist-civilian version (PCL-C). Boston, MA: National Center for PTSD.
3. Weathers, F. W., Huska, J. A., & Keane, T. M. (1991). The PTSD checklist military version (PCL-M). Boston, MA: National Center for PTSD.
4. Weathers, F. W., Huska, J. A., & Keane, T. M. (1991). PCL-S for DSM-IV. Boston: National Center for PTSD–Behavioral Science Division.
5. Frewen, P. A., Brown, M. F., Steuwe, C., & Lanius, R. A. (2015). Latent profile analysis and principal axis factoring of the DSM-5 dissociative subtype. European journal of psychotraumatology, 6. PMC4390557.

Cite this page
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist. Traumadissociation.com. Retrieved from .

The copyright for the questions, answers and scoring method belong to the original authors of the research. See references.
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