PTSD Test: Do I Have PTSD? Free Online Self-Assessment Quiz
Wondering whether what you have been through has turned into post-traumatic stress disorder? This free online PTSD test follows the PCL-5 format — 20 items mapped to the four core PTSD symptom clusters: re-experiencing, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal. It takes about three minutes and stays completely private on your device.
- 3 minutes
- Short, guided self-check
- 100% private
- Answers stay on your device
- Free forever
- No sign-up, no cost
PTSD self-assessment (PCL-5 based)
Take the PTSD Test
Think about your most stressful or frightening experience. For each item below, choose how much you have been bothered by it in the past month. This private PTSD self-test follows the PCL-5 format and stays on your device.
Format
20 PCL-5 items
Based on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, mapped to four symptom clusters.
Privacy
Local-only answers
No sign-up, no saved history, and no account wall before results.
Outcome
Score + cluster pattern
See your total score, severity band, and which clusters are affected.
1Repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the stressful experience.
2Repeated, disturbing dreams of the stressful experience.
3Suddenly feeling or acting as if the stressful experience were actually happening again (flashbacks).
4Feeling very upset when something reminded you of the stressful experience.
5Having strong physical reactions when reminded of the stressful experience (for example, heart pounding, sweating).
6Avoiding memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the stressful experience.
7Avoiding external reminders, such as people, places, conversations, activities, or objects.
8Trouble remembering important parts of the stressful experience.
9Having strong negative beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world.
10Blaming yourself or someone else for the stressful experience or what happened after it.
11Having strong negative feelings such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame.
12Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy.
13Feeling distant or cut off from other people.
14Trouble experiencing positive feelings, like happiness or love.
15Irritable behavior, angry outbursts, or acting aggressively.
16Taking too many risks or doing things that could cause you harm.
17Being "super alert" or watchful and on guard.
18Feeling jumpy or easily startled.
19Having difficulty concentrating.
20Trouble falling or staying asleep.
Please answer all questions to see your result.
Understanding PTSD
What is PTSD? A closer look at post-traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after you experience or witness something deeply threatening — an accident, assault, combat, a medical emergency, abuse, or the sudden loss of someone close. It is your nervous system staying stuck in survival mode long after the danger has passed.
Many people ask, “do I have PTSD?” because they notice their reactions no longer match the present situation: a loud sound, a familiar place, or a tense conversation can suddenly feel overwhelming. A PTSD test gives those reactions a framework so you can see whether they fit a recognizable pattern.
PTSD vs. trauma: what is the difference?
Trauma is the broader wound — the emotional and physical imprint of an overwhelming experience. PTSD is a specific, diagnosable condition that sometimes develops afterward. Not everyone who lives through trauma develops PTSD, and you do not need a formal diagnosis for your pain to be real. This distinction is why an online PTSD self-test is best used as a screening signal, not a verdict.
PTSD symptoms
The four PTSD symptom clusters this test explores
Clinicians organize PTSD symptoms into four groups, matching the DSM-5 criteria. The questions above touch each one so your result reflects the full picture.
Re-experiencing (intrusion)
Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories or images that make the event feel present again, often triggered by reminders.
Avoidance
Going out of your way to avoid people, places, conversations, activities, or even thoughts and feelings connected to what happened.
Negative mood and cognition
Persistent guilt or blame, negative beliefs about yourself or the world, feeling detached, or losing interest in things that mattered.
Hyperarousal and reactivity
Feeling constantly on guard, easily startled, irritable, having trouble sleeping or concentrating, or being quick to react.
Beyond PTSD
What about complex PTSD (CPTSD)?
When trauma is repeated, ongoing, or happens in childhood, clinicians sometimes describe the result as complex PTSD (CPTSD). In addition to the four clusters above, complex PTSD often involves difficulty regulating emotions, a fragmented sense of identity, and ongoing trouble feeling safe in relationships.
A complex PTSD test therefore looks beyond flashbacks at the longer-term effects of sustained trauma. If your struggles feel rooted in years of early stress, our childhood trauma test may fit your story better.
Next steps
When should you seek help for PTSD?
Consider speaking with a trauma-informed professional if your PTSD symptoms have lasted more than a month, are getting worse, or are interfering with sleep, work, relationships, or your sense of safety.
Effective, evidence-based treatments exist — including trauma-focused therapy and, when appropriate, medication. The sooner you connect with support, the more options you tend to have. If you ever feel unsafe or unable to cope, reach out to emergency services or a crisis line right away.
PTSD test FAQ
PTSD test FAQ: common questions about symptoms, accuracy, and results
This PTSD self-test explores the four core symptom areas of post-traumatic stress disorder: re-experiencing, avoidance, negative changes in mood and thinking, and hyperarousal. The questions are inspired by widely used screening frameworks such as the PCL-5 and PC-PTSD-5, so your result reflects several dimensions rather than a single feeling.
Explore more trauma self-assessments
You can also take the general trauma test, explore emotional trauma signs, or learn about your trauma response style.