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Self-test: Post-Traumatic Stress

If you have experienced or witnessed an extremely traumatic event that caused intense fear, helplessness, or horror, you may be diagnosed with PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD usually start to appear within several weeks of the traumatic event. However, some people may not have any symptoms for months or even years afterward.

The PTSD symptoms are divided into three different groups, and must be present for more than a month. These symptoms typically cause significant problems or distress in personal, academic, or work life, or in other important areas of daily living.

Group 1
1.1	Have you experienced or witnessed a life-threatening event that caused intense fear, helplessness or horror? Yes No
Are you experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:
1.2	Frequent, sudden, and upsetting memories about the event, including certain images and thoughts about the event? Yes No
1.3	Repeated distressing dreams about the event? Yes No
1.4	Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were happening again (includes reliving, such as having flashbacks about the event)? Yes No
1.5	Strong mental and emotional pain when seeing people, places, or other reminders of the event? Yes No
1.6	Physical reactions (such as shakiness, chills, heart beating fast when seeing people, places, or other reminders of the event)? Yes No
Group 2
Are you experiencing three or more of the following:
2.1	Making efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the event? Yes No
2.2	Making efforts to avoid activities, places, or people that are reminders of the event? Yes No
2.3	Not being able to remember important details about the event? Yes No
2.4	No longer enjoying or taking part in activities once enjoyed? Yes No
2.5	Feeling detached or removed from family and friends? Yes No
2.6	Having feelings of emotional numbness that others may notice? Yes No
2.7	Believing that certain important life goals (such as marriage, parenthood, or growing older will not be fulfilled)? Yes No
Group 3
Are you troubled by two or more of the following:
3.1	Problems sleeping? Yes No
3.2	Irritability or outbursts of anger? Yes No
3.3	Problems concentrating? Yes No
3.4	Feeling "on guard"? Yes No
3.5	An exaggerated response when startled? Yes No


Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 1994. Disclaimer: This self-test cannot diagnose any condition or tell you for certain if your symptoms are harming your health; rather, it is a screening test to determine the likelihood of problematic issues. You should see a professional for further evaluation.