A self-reflection across 4 trauma-response clusters: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative shifts in mood and thinking, and hyperarousal. 20 questions, instant summary. This is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis.
No signup needed — your result appears instantly.
PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, National Center for PTSD)
No. This is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis. A formal PTSD diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician through a structured clinical interview that weighs frequency, duration, and how much a pattern interferes with daily life — a short web check-in cannot replace that.
A stress reaction after a difficult or distressing experience is common, and for most people it eases within the first few weeks. In the DSM-5, PTSD is only considered when symptoms across these clusters persist for more than about a month and cause real distress or interfere with daily functioning — duration and impact are what separate an expected reaction from a clinical picture, not the presence of any single symptom.
Practical next steps: (1) In the UK, you can ask your GP for a referral, or self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies for trauma-focused treatment. (2) In the US, look for a licensed, trauma-informed therapist experienced in treating PTSD. (3) The National Center for PTSD (ptsd.va.gov) publishes free, public self-help resources and information on evidence-based treatment, regardless of military background.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, evidence-based therapy in which a trained clinician guides bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements — while a person briefly focuses on a distressing memory, helping the brain reprocess it so it feels less overwhelming. Alongside trauma-focused CBT, it is one of the most researched and widely recommended treatments for PTSD.
Taking our test should not be viewed as a comprehensive or precise evaluation of your abilities. Results are for informational and self-reflection purposes only.
A self-reflection across 4 trauma-response clusters: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative shifts in mood and thinking, and hyperarousal. 20 questions, instant summary. This is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis.
The Trauma Response Check-In looks at patterns across four clusters commonly described in trauma research: intrusion (unwanted memories, flashbacks, distressing dreams), avoidance (steering clear of reminders, places, or thoughts), negative alterations in mood and thinking (negative beliefs, self-blame, feeling detached, loss of interest), and hyperarousal (feeling on edge, being easily startled, irritability, trouble sleeping or concentrating). It is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis.
Most people who go through a difficult or distressing experience have some kind of stress reaction afterward, and for many that reaction eases on its own within a few weeks. What distinguishes clinically significant PTSD is how long the reaction persists — typically beyond about a month — how intense it is, and how much it interferes with daily life, relationships, and work.
This is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis. If the results resonate or you are struggling, talk to a licensed professional — PTSD is treatable, and two well-established, evidence-based approaches are EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and trauma-focused CBT.
How often unwanted memories, flashbacks, or distressing dreams related to a difficult experience show up
Whether you find yourself avoiding reminders, places, thoughts, or conversations connected to what happened
How much negative beliefs, self-blame, detachment, or loss of interest have shifted your mood and thinking
How much hypervigilance, being easily startled, irritability, or sleep and concentration problems show up
A summary useful for a conversation with a licensed professional, if you want one
Unwanted memories of a difficult experience pop into my mind without warning.
20 questions, 4 min. Auto-advance — no manual Next.
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A self-reflection across 4 trauma-response clusters: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative shifts in mood and thinking, and hyperarousal. 20 questions, instant summary. This is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis.
No signup needed — your result appears instantly.
PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, National Center for PTSD)
No. This is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis. A formal PTSD diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician through a structured clinical interview that weighs frequency, duration, and how much a pattern interferes with daily life — a short web check-in cannot replace that.
A stress reaction after a difficult or distressing experience is common, and for most people it eases within the first few weeks. In the DSM-5, PTSD is only considered when symptoms across these clusters persist for more than about a month and cause real distress or interfere with daily functioning — duration and impact are what separate an expected reaction from a clinical picture, not the presence of any single symptom.
Practical next steps: (1) In the UK, you can ask your GP for a referral, or self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies for trauma-focused treatment. (2) In the US, look for a licensed, trauma-informed therapist experienced in treating PTSD. (3) The National Center for PTSD (ptsd.va.gov) publishes free, public self-help resources and information on evidence-based treatment, regardless of military background.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, evidence-based therapy in which a trained clinician guides bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements — while a person briefly focuses on a distressing memory, helping the brain reprocess it so it feels less overwhelming. Alongside trauma-focused CBT, it is one of the most researched and widely recommended treatments for PTSD.
