PTSD Test
Reviewed by
Dr Elena Talavera Escribano
PTSD Test
Often referred to in popular films, series and books, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex mental health disorder that results from experiencing a traumatic event. Characterised by strong physical, emotional and psychological symptoms, PTSD can significantly interfere with everyday life for those who suffer from this condition.
A PTSD diagnosis can only be given by a mental health professional authorised to do so. These professionals utilise a set of psychological tests, interviews and continuous monitoring to determine the diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. A combination of medicine and talk therapies can then help people with PTSD to reduce symptoms, better manage their condition, and eventually, even completely heal from it.
If you want to check for possible signs of PTSD on your own, you can start with this PTSD test.
What Is PTSD?
The National Health Service (NHS) explains how PTSD is a consequence of very stressful, distressing, or frightening events [1]. The traumatic experiences that may lead to PTSD can be one-time experiences (for example, a car accident) or ongoing circumstances (for example, living in a household with domestic violence).
People who have PTSD usually relive the traumatic experiences, primarily through triggers and flashbacks. These symptoms are intensely vivid and strong, making the sufferer feel like they are experiencing the same traumatic event again in the present moment.
The largest non-profit for PTSD in the UK, PTSDUK, explains that flashbacks are the result of a memory filing error [2]. During a traumatic event, the brain shuts down non-essential functions so it can focus its energy on mobilising the body to defend or run away (fight-or-flight system). One of the non-essential functions is memory processing, so the experiences during the traumatic event are not stored as they should be. In time, due to external stimuli (i.e., triggers), the memories may reappear in consciousness as flashbacks.
PTSD Symptoms
The US Department of Veterans Affairs divides PTSD symptoms into four categories [3]. For a person to be diagnosed with PTSD, they must have symptoms from all four categories.
Re-experiencing or relieving the event
Flashbacks, one of the main symptoms of PTSD, are a way of reliving the traumatic event. Flashbacks can come at any time, and can be caused by an external trigger or come “out of the blue.” They also feel very real and intense, causing the whole system of the person with PTSD to feel like they are living through the traumatic experience once more, but in the present moment.
Aside from flashbacks, “reliving the event” as a symptom can also be experienced through nightmares, or when faced with triggers like similar smells, sounds, or circumstances.
Avoidance of things that remind you of the event
This symptom includes avoiding people, places and circumstances that may remind you of the traumatic event. For example, it may include avoiding highways for people who have suffered a car accident on a highway.
One key aspect of avoidance is workaholism or any other type of activity that serves as an avoidant coping strategy (i.e., what you may do to take your mind off the event). It may also include avoiding therapy in order to avoid thinking or talking about those traumatic events.
Numbing or experiencing more negative thoughts and emotions than before the event
All traumatic experiences bring forth negative thoughts and emotions. People with PTSD often experience more negative thoughts and emotions than before the event, and they may struggle to change those negative thoughts and emotions.
Depending on the circumstances, the change in emotional states or mindset may be regarding oneself, regarding others, or regarding the world around them.
Feeling hyperaroused and on edge most of the time
The last symptom includes restlessness, edginess, and what is clinically referred to as “hyperarousal.”
This includes:
- Always being on the lookout.
- Having difficulty falling and staying asleep.
- Being wary and looking over your shoulder.
- Having a hard time concentrating, or being easily scared or startled.
- It may also include self-medication with drugs or alcohol.
To be diagnosed with PTSD, one has to experience the symptoms for at least four weeks and suffer significant disturbance in their everyday life as a result of these symptoms.
Who Is This PTSD Test For?
This PTSD test is for people who have experienced traumatic events in their lives and suspect they may have PTSD. It is applicable for both men and women, regardless of age, as long as they are adults (18+).
The PC-PTSD-5 test is a self-reported questionnaire that aims to quantify possible PTSD symptoms. The abbreviation “PC” stands for Primary Care, indicating that this test was designed to help primary care physicians get indicators for PTSD in clinical settings, in a timely and effective manner.
As the creators of the PC-PTSD test underline, between 12% and 39% of primary care patients may meet the criteria for PTSD [4]. But before this test was developed, physicians did not have a reliable and accurate test to make an initial screening.
Is This Test Accurate?
The US Department of Veterans Affairs explains that the PTSD test is accurate in detecting probable signs of PTSD [5]. It is a short self-reported questionnaire that helps primary care practitioners identify potential symptoms of PTSD in patients. Nonetheless, it is not a complete diagnostic tool for PTSD and requires further interviews and observation by a specialist before a final diagnosis can be made.
Since its creation in 2003, the PC-PTSD has been used in healthcare facilities to screen for possible PTSD symptoms. Through the years, the test has been revised and adapted to reflect the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) updates in defining PTSD and its symptoms.
Before you take the PTSD test online, please note that mental health diagnoses of any kind can only be diagnosed by a licensed professional. Online diagnostic tests are not diagnostic instruments. Instead, they serve the purpose of defining some preliminary possibilities of symptoms. For a complete medical assessment, you need to consult your doctor or mental health professional.
PTSD Test
The PC-PTSD-5 test is generally used to help identify people who may have PTSD. It uses five questions answered on a yes/no scale. Scoring should be completed by a mental health professional. It asks: in the last month, have you:
- Had nightmares about the event(s) or thought about the event(s) when you did not want to?
- Tried hard not to think about the event(s) or went out of your way to avoid situations that reminded you of the event(s)?
- Been constantly on guard, watchful, or easily startled?
- Felt numb or detached from people, activities, or your surroundings?
- Felt guilty or unable to stop blaming yourself or others for the event(s) or any problems the event(s) may have caused?
Important to note: these questions are used as part of a screening process and do not suggest a diagnosis. If you have experienced trauma and want to assess if you have PTSD, you should seek professional help through your doctor or local mental health services.
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