PTSD Symptom Screening (PCL-5)

MOSAIC CLINIC · TRAUMA SUPPORT

PTSD Symptom Check-In

Wondering whether stress reactions after a difficult experience may be affecting you? This confidential-in-your-browser self-check uses the 20-item PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).

About 5–10 minutes · No name or email required

This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. It is not a substitute for a clinical assessment. You do not need to describe what happened. You may stop at any point. If answering feels overwhelming, consider reaching out to a trusted person or mental health professional.

Think about a very stressful experience. In the past month, how much were you bothered by each of the following problems?

0 of 20 answered

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?

Your PTSD symptom screening result

Completed:

The PCL-5 sums 20 ratings from 0 to 4, yielding a total from 0 to 80. Results can support a conversation with a qualified clinician; scores are not diagnostic, and trauma exposure and functional impact also need assessment.

Explore Mosaic Clinic services or learn more about the PCL-5.

Discuss My Results With a Therapist

Your score and answers will not be sent automatically. You choose what to share with your therapist.

What happens next?

If you are experiencing distress, trouble sleeping, intrusive memories, avoidance, or feeling constantly on guard, therapy can help even if your score is below a screening cutoff. Trauma-focused care can support both symptom relief and a sense of safety and choice.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. In the United States, call or text 988 for immediate emotional crisis support.

Privacy: This form processes answers locally in your browser; it does not intentionally transmit or save responses. Ordinary site hosting, analytics, and browser behavior may still apply. Source: PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD. Official scoring and assessment guidance.