The PC-PTSD-5 is a 5-item screen designed to identify individuals with probable PTSD. Those screening positive require further assessment, preferably with a structured interview.

Sometimes things happen to people that are unusually or especially frightening, horrible, or traumatic. For example:

  • a serious accident or fire
  • a physical or sexual assault or abuse
  • an earthquake or flood
  • a war
  • seeing someone be killed or seriously injured
  • having a loved one die through homicide or suicide.

  Yes No
1. Have you ever experienced this kind of event?

In the past month, have you...

  Yes No
2. had nightmares about the event(s) or thought about the event(s) when you did not want to?
3. 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)?
4. been constantly on guard, watchful, or easily startled?
5. felt numb or detached from people, activities, or your surroundings?
6. felt guilty or unable to stop blaming yourself or others for the event(s) or any problems the event(s) may have caused?
Sources
  1. A Prins, MJ Bovin, R Kimerling, DG Kaloupek, BP Marx, A Pless-Kaiser, PP Schnurr. The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5): Development and Evaluation Within a Veteran Primary Care Sample. J Gen Intern Med 31(10): 1206-1211 ().