--- title: "PTSD Test: Free Online Self-Assessment" id: "1938" type: "snax_quiz" slug: "ptsd-test" published_at: "2023-10-20T12:16:19+00:00" modified_at: "2026-04-21T14:02:03+00:00" url: "https://psymed.info/all_quiz/ptsd-test/" markdown_url: "https://psymed.info/all_quiz/ptsd-test.md" excerpt: "Trauma changes the brain. For most people, the distress that follows a traumatic event gradually fades over weeks or months. But for others, the memories don’t stay in the past — they intrude on the present, disrupting sleep, relationships, work,..." taxonomy_category: - "Anxiety and Fear Disorders" taxonomy_language: - "English" taxonomy_snax_format: - "Personality quiz" --- [Take the test now](#begin-test-section) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpsymed.info%2Fall_quiz%2Fptsd-test%2F&t=PTSD+Test%3A+Free+Online+Self-Assessment) - [Twitter](https://x.com/intent/post?text=PTSD%20Test%3A%20Free%20Online%20Self-Assessment&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpsymed.info%2Fall_quiz%2Fptsd-test%2F) - [Pinterest](#) - **Published:** October 20, 2023 - **Last Reviewed:** April 21, 2026 Trauma changes the brain. For most people, the distress that follows a traumatic event gradually fades over weeks or months. But for others, the memories don’t stay in the past — they intrude on the present, disrupting sleep, relationships, work, and daily life in ways that feel impossible to control. If you’ve experienced a traumatic event and find yourself re-living it, avoiding reminders of it, or feeling constantly on edge, you may be experiencing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This free PTSD Test is designed to help you explore whether your symptoms align with the recognized criteria for PTSD. It is based on the DSM-5-TR diagnostic framework used by clinicians worldwide. It is not a diagnostic tool — only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose PTSD —, but it can give you meaningful insight and help you decide whether professional support is the right next step. Your responses are completely private and anonymous. Results are instant. *If you are currently in crisis or experiencing thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to a crisis service before taking this test. Resources are listed at the bottom of this page.* ## What Is PTSD? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. It is classified under Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders in the DSM-5-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). PTSD is not a sign of weakness. It is the brain’s attempt to process an overwhelming experience — and in some cases, the processing gets stuck. The memories, emotions, and bodily sensations associated with the trauma remain raw and intrusive, rather than fading as normal memories do. According to the National Center for PTSD (2024), approximately 6% of US adults will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. Around 5% — roughly 13 million Americans — are affected in any given year. Women are twice as likely to develop PTSD as men: 8% lifetime prevalence for women versus 4% for men. Globally, while 70% of people will experience a potentially traumatic event in their lifetime, only about 5.6% go on to develop PTSD (WHO, 2024). PTSD is highly treatable. With the right evidence-based therapy, the majority of people with PTSD experience a significant and lasting reduction in symptoms. ## DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD All of the following criteria must be met for a formal PTSD diagnosis in adults, adolescents, and children older than 6. The DSM-5-TR (2022) made no changes to the adult PTSD criteria from DSM-5 (2013). **Criterion A — Exposure to trauma** The person was exposed to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one or more of the following ways: directly experiencing the event; witnessing it happen to others; learning that it happened to a close family member or friend (must have been violent or accidental); or repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the trauma (such as first responders). **Criterion B — Intrusion symptoms (1 or more required)** Recurrent, involuntary, distressing memories of the event; recurrent distressing dreams related to the trauma; dissociative reactions or flashbacks in which the person feels the event is happening again; intense psychological distress at reminders of the trauma; marked physiological reactions (e.g., racing heart, sweating) to trauma-related cues. **Criterion C — Avoidance (1 or more required)** Persistent efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about the trauma; efforts to avoid external reminders — people, places, conversations, activities, or situations that trigger memories of the event. **Criterion D — Negative changes in cognition and mood (2 or more required)** Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma; persistent negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world; persistent blame of self or others; persistent negative emotional states (fear, horror, anger, guilt, shame); loss of interest in activities; feelings of detachment from others; inability to experience positive emotions (emotional numbing). **Criterion E — Hyperarousal and reactivity (2 or more required)** Irritable or aggressive behavior; reckless or self-destructive behavior; hypervigilance; exaggerated startle response; problems with concentration; sleep disturbance. **Criterion F — Duration** Symptoms must persist for more than 1 month. Symptoms lasting 3 days to 1 month after the trauma are classified as Acute Stress Disorder, not PTSD. **Criterion G — Functional impairment** The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. **Criterion H — Not attributable to substances or another condition** The disturbance is not due to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition. ## What Events Can Cause PTSD? PTSD can follow any event that meets Criterion A — exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. Common traumatic events include: - Sexual assault or rape - Physical assault or domestic violence - Combat and military service - Serious accidents (road, workplace, natural disaster) - Childhood abuse or neglect - Sudden or violent loss of a loved one - Witnessing violence or death - Medical trauma (life-threatening illness, emergency procedures) - Terrorism, mass violence, or community disasters Importantly, not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Risk factors include the severity and duration of the trauma, lack of social support afterward, a prior history of trauma, and biological factors. The type of trauma also matters — sexual assault carries one of the highest risks of PTSD of any traumatic event type (WHO World Mental Health Surveys, 2017). ## What Is Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)? Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is recognized as a separate diagnosis in the WHO’s International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition (ICD-11, 2022). It is **not** a diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR — this distinction matters clinically because your treatment approach may differ depending on which framework your clinician uses. C-PTSD typically develops following prolonged, repeated, or multiple traumatic exposures — particularly those involving interpersonal violation and from which escape is difficult, such as: - Childhood abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) over the years - Domestic violence or intimate partner abuse - Torture or captivity - Human trafficking - Prolonged neglect in early childhood In addition to the core PTSD symptoms (re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal), C-PTSD includes three additional clusters of “disturbances in self-organization” (DSO): - **Affect dysregulation** — difficulty managing emotional responses; intense emotional reactions or emotional numbness - **Negative self-concept** — persistent feelings of worthlessness, shame, or being permanently damaged - **Interpersonal difficulties** — persistent difficulties in forming and maintaining close relationships; feeling detached or cut off from others Under ICD-11, only one diagnosis is given — if C-PTSD criteria are fully met, the diagnosis is C-PTSD, not PTSD. The conditions are mutually exclusive in the ICD-11 framework. ## How This PTSD Test Works This assessment covers the core symptom clusters of PTSD as defined by the DSM-5-TR: intrusion, avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, and hyperarousal. It is designed to reflect the structure of the PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) — the validated 20-item self-report screening tool developed by the VA National Center for PTSD (Weathers et al., 2013). For each statement, select the response that most accurately reflects your experience **over the past month**. Answer based on patterns you have noticed — not a single incident or one difficult day. This test is for informational purposes only. A provisional PTSD screening score does not confirm a diagnosis. The gold standard for PTSD diagnosis is a structured clinical interview — the CAPS-5 (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5) — conducted by a trained mental health professional. ## Understanding Your Results **If your score is low:** Your responses do not strongly align with PTSD symptom criteria. However, if you have experienced a traumatic event and are experiencing any distress, speaking with a mental health professional is always worthwhile — even if the full PTSD criteria are not met. Adjustment disorder, acute stress, anxiety, and depression can all follow trauma and are treatable. **If your score is moderate:** Your responses suggest some PTSD-related symptoms that are worth exploring with a professional. You may be experiencing subthreshold PTSD — significant distress that doesn’t meet the full diagnostic criteria — or your symptoms may align more closely with another trauma-related condition. A clinical evaluation will provide clarity. **If your score is high:** Your responses show significant alignment with PTSD symptom criteria across multiple clusters. This does not confirm a diagnosis — only a qualified mental health professional can do that — but it strongly suggests that seeking a professional evaluation is the right next step. PTSD is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. Evidence-based therapies produce significant and lasting recovery in most people who complete them. PTSD and ADHD share a number of overlapping symptoms — difficulty concentrating, emotional reactivity, and hypervigilance — and they co-occur at high rates, particularly in people with difficult childhood histories. If you notice that attention and focus have been lifelong struggles beyond your trauma history, consider also taking our **[Free ADHD Test](https://psymed.info/all_quiz/adhd-test/)**. ## Evidence-Based Treatments for PTSD The 2023 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline — the most current and comprehensive treatment guideline available — recommends psychotherapy over medication as the first-line treatment for PTSD. Three trauma-focused psychotherapies receive the strongest recommendation: **Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)** CPT helps people examine and challenge the unhelpful beliefs that often develop after trauma — such as “It was my fault,” “I’m permanently damaged,” or “The world is completely unsafe.” Typically delivered in 12 sessions, CPT has strong evidence across civilian and military populations. It is one of the most widely studied PTSD treatments available. **Prolonged Exposure (PE)** Developed by Dr. Edna Foa, PE involves gradually confronting trauma-related memories and situations that are being avoided. By approaching rather than avoiding the trauma, the emotional and physiological power of the memories reduces over time. PE is highly effective but requires a willingness to engage with difficult memories — dropout rates are somewhat higher than CPT. **Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)** EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements) while the person briefly recalls traumatic memories, helping the brain process and integrate them. It is particularly effective for single-event traumas and is widely used internationally. EMDR is recommended by the VA/DoD, WHO, APA, and NICE (UK). **Medications** When medication is part of the treatment plan, the 2023 VA/DoD guidelines recommend paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine as first-line options. Benzodiazepines are explicitly contraindicated for PTSD — they are associated with worsening intrusive and dissociative symptoms over time and are strongly advised against. **Written Exposure Therapy (WET)** A newer, briefer evidence-based option involving structured writing about the traumatic experience. Emerging evidence suggests WET has significantly lower dropout rates than PE, making it a valuable option for people who struggle to complete longer courses of treatment. ## PTSD vs Acute Stress Disorder vs Adjustment Disorder PTSDAcute Stress DisorderAdjustment DisorderTrauma requiredYes (Criterion A)Yes (Criterion A)Any stressor (not just trauma)Duration1 month or more3 days to 1 monthWithin 3 months of stressorFlashbacks requiredNot required (1 of 5 Criterion B symptoms)Not requiredNoFirst-line treatmentCPT, PE, EMDRTrauma-focused CBTCBT, supportive therapy## PTSD and Veterans Veterans and military personnel experience PTSD at significantly higher rates than the general population. According to the National Center for PTSD (2024): - 29% of living US veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan (OEF/OIF) have had PTSD - 21% of Gulf War (Desert Storm) veterans have had PTSD - 10% of Vietnam War veterans have had PTSD Of the 5.8 million veterans served by the VA in fiscal year 2024, approximately 14% of men and 24% of women were diagnosed with PTSD. PTSD in veterans frequently co-occurs with traumatic brain injury (TBI), substance use disorders, and depression. ## PTSD and Co-occurring Conditions PTSD rarely occurs alone. People with PTSD are approximately 80% more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for at least one other mental health condition (DSM-5). Common co-occurring conditions include: - **Depression** — the most common comorbidity with PTSD; shared symptoms include emotional numbing, loss of interest, and hopelessness - **Anxiety disorders** — PTSD frequently co-occurs with generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety - **Substance use disorders** — People with PTSD are more than twice as likely to have a substance use disorder; alcohol is frequently used to suppress intrusive symptoms - **BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder)** — significant symptom overlap with C-PTSD; both are associated with early trauma. See our [BPD Test](https://psymed.info/all_quiz/borderline-personality-disorder-test/) for comparison - **Dissociative disorders** — particularly following chronic early trauma; PTSD has a dissociative subtype in DSM-5-TR ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Do I have PTSD, or is this just grief? Grief and PTSD can co-occur, but are different conditions. Grief typically involves sadness, longing, and adjustment to loss — and while it can be intense, it does not usually include flashbacks, hypervigilance, or persistent avoidance behavior. PTSD requires a Criterion A traumatic event and includes specific intrusion, avoidance, cognitive, and hyperarousal symptoms. If you experienced the loss of a loved one in a violent or sudden way, PTSD is possible alongside grief. A mental health professional can help distinguish between the two. ### Can you get PTSD without being directly involved in trauma? Yes. DSM-5-TR Criterion A includes witnessing trauma happen to others, learning about violent or accidental trauma affecting close family or friends, and repeated professional exposure to traumatic material (such as first responders, emergency workers, and therapists). This indirect exposure can lead to PTSD in the same way that direct exposure can. ### Is PTSD permanent? No. PTSD is highly treatable, and many people recover fully. According to the WHO, up to 40% of people with PTSD recover without formal treatment within a year. With evidence-based therapy — particularly CPT, PE, or EMDR — the majority of people who complete treatment experience significant and lasting symptom reduction. Some people do experience chronic PTSD, particularly following multiple or early-life traumas, but even chronic PTSD responds well to appropriate treatment. ### What is the difference between PTSD and C-PTSD? Standard PTSD typically follows a single traumatic event or a limited period of trauma exposure. C-PTSD (Complex PTSD, recognized in ICD-11 but not DSM-5-TR) is associated with prolonged, repeated, or multiple traumatic experiences — particularly interpersonal trauma such as childhood abuse or domestic violence. In addition to PTSD’s core symptom clusters, C-PTSD includes persistent difficulties with emotional regulation, a profoundly negative self-concept, and significant interpersonal difficulties. Treatment for C-PTSD is typically phase-based, beginning with stabilization before trauma processing. ### Why doesn’t everyone who experiences trauma develop PTSD? Most people who experience trauma do not develop PTSD. Protective factors include strong social support after the event, absence of prior trauma history, lower severity of the trauma, and individual biological and psychological resilience factors. Risk factors include direct exposure and injury, prior trauma history (especially in childhood), female sex, lack of social support, and peritraumatic dissociation (feeling detached during or immediately after the event). PTSD is not a failure of resilience — it reflects the intensity of the trauma and the circumstances surrounding recovery. ### Can PTSD develop years after a traumatic event? Yes. The DSM-5-TR includes a “delayed expression” specifier for cases where full diagnostic criteria are not met until at least 6 months after the traumatic event — though some symptoms may appear immediately. Delayed-onset PTSD is well documented and can emerge years after the original trauma, sometimes triggered by a new stressor, life transition, or the lifting of a coping mechanism such as substance use. ### How is PTSD diagnosed? The gold standard for PTSD diagnosis is the CAPS-5 (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5), a structured clinical interview conducted by a trained mental health professional. In primary care and screening settings, the PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) — a validated 20-item self-report measure — is widely used to identify people who may benefit from further assessment. Online tests like this one are informal screening tools. A score suggesting probable PTSD on a self-report measure should prompt professional evaluation, not self-diagnosis. ## Related Tests - [BPD Test](https://psymed.info/all_quiz/borderline-personality-disorder-test/) — significant symptom overlap with C-PTSD, including emotional dysregulation and interpersonal difficulties - [Depression Test](https://psymed.info/all_quiz/clinical-depression-test/) — depression commonly co-occurs with PTSD and shares several symptoms - [Social Anxiety Test](https://psymed.info/all_quiz/social-anxiety-test/) — avoidance in PTSD can overlap with social anxiety patterns - [Dissociation Test](https://psymed.info/all_quiz/depersonalization-disorder-test/) — dissociation is a key feature of the PTSD dissociative subtype and C-PTSD - [Anhedonia Test](https://psymed.info/all_quiz/anhedonia-test/) — emotional numbing and loss of pleasure are prominent in PTSD Criterion D Traumatic birth experiences can produce PTSD symptoms that co-occur with or are mistaken for postnatal depression — if you are perinatal, the [Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale](https://psymed.info/all_quiz/edinburgh-postnatal-depression-scale/) can help distinguish the two. ## Crisis Resources If you are in crisis or experiencing thoughts of **[self-harm or suicide](https://psymed.info/all_quiz/suicidal-test/)**, please contact one of the following services: **United States** 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text **988** Veterans Crisis Line: Call **988** then press 1, or text 838255 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to **741741** RAINN (Sexual Assault): **1-800-656-4673** or rainn.org **United Kingdom** Samaritans: Call **116 123** (free, 24/7) MIND Infoline: **0300 123 3393** Combat Stress (Veterans): **0800 138 1619** NHS Urgent Mental Health: Contact your local NHS trust or call 111 **Australia** Lifeline: **13 11 14** Beyond Blue: **1300 22 4636** Open Arms (Veterans): **1800 011 046** **Canada** Crisis Services Canada: **1-833-456-4566** or text 45645 CAMH: camh.ca/en/driving-change/crisisline ## References 1. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR)*. Washington, DC: APA. [psychiatry.org](https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm) 2. National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024). How common is PTSD in adults? [ptsd.va.gov](https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp) 3. National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024). Epidemiology and impact of PTSD. [ptsd.va.gov](https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/essentials/epidemiology.asp) 4. World Health Organization. (2024). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [who.int](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/post-traumatic-stress-disorder) 5. Weathers, F. W., et al. (2013). The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). National Center for PTSD. 6. Schnurr, P. P., et al. (2024). Synopsis of the 2023 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD. *Annals of Internal Medicine*. [doi:10.7326/M23-2757](https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M23-2757) 7. World Health Organization. (2022). International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). [icd.who.int](https://icd.who.int/en) 8. Koenen, K. C., et al. (2017). Posttraumatic stress disorder in the World Mental Health Surveys. *Psychological Medicine, 47*(13), 2260–2274. Read LaterAdd to FavouritesAdd to Collection[Report](mailto:info@psymed.info?subject=Hey,%20I%20would%20like%20to%20report%20an%20abuse&body=Reported%20link:%20https://psymed.info/all_quiz/ptsd-test/) [https://psymed.info/members/psymed-editorial-team/](https://psymed.info/members/psymed-editorial-team/) PsyMed Editorial Team creates research-based mental health and identity quizzes designed for self-awareness and education. Our content is developed using established psychological concepts and widely recognized screening frameworks. 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