Translate Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5)

Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5)

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<h3>About the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5)</h3>

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The <strong>Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5)</strong> is a brief self-report screening questionnaire designed to identify symptoms commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following exposure to traumatic experiences.
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The PC-PTSD-5 was developed by the <strong>Prins, Annabel and Colleagues</strong> as a quick and efficient PTSD screening tool for use in primary healthcare, mental health, and trauma-related settings.
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The questionnaire evaluates trauma exposure, intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, guilt, and trauma-related psychological distress associated with PTSD.
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Research studies have demonstrated strong reliability and validity for the PC-PTSD-5 across trauma research, military psychology, psychiatry, primary care, emergency medicine, and mental health screening environments.
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<h4>Psychological Domains Measured</h4>

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<strong>Trauma Exposure</strong>
<span>Measures exposure to frightening, traumatic, life-threatening, or emotionally overwhelming events.</span>
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<strong>Intrusive Symptoms</strong>
<span>Measures unwanted memories, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and trauma-related nightmares.</span>
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<strong>Avoidance</strong>
<span>Measures attempts to avoid trauma reminders, distressing thoughts, emotions, or trauma-related situations.</span>
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<strong>Hypervigilance and Startle Response</strong>
<span>Measures heightened alertness, exaggerated startle response, watchfulness, and feeling constantly on guard.</span>
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<strong>Emotional Numbing and Detachment</strong>
<span>Measures emotional disconnection, numbness, reduced emotional responsiveness, and interpersonal detachment.</span>
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<strong>Trauma-Related Guilt</strong>
<span>Measures self-blame, guilt, shame, and difficulty emotionally processing traumatic experiences.</span>
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The PC-PTSD-5 is commonly used in trauma screening, military psychology, psychiatry, primary healthcare, emergency care, and mental health settings. The questionnaire is intended as a screening instrument and should not be used as a standalone diagnostic tool.
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This questionnaire is designed to evaluate psychological experiences commonly associated with trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress reactions.

Participants first identify whether they have experienced a traumatic event and then answer questions related to trauma-related emotional, cognitive, and behavioral experiences occurring during the past month.

The assessment focuses on intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, emotional numbing, hypervigilance, guilt, and trauma-related distress.

This assessment is designed for adolescents and adults interested in understanding trauma-related emotional and psychological experiences associated with post-traumatic stress reactions.

The questionnaire is intended for educational, screening, and research purposes only.

Results should not be considered a clinical diagnosis or substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric, trauma-focused, or medical evaluation.

Responses are scored according to the presence or absence of trauma-related psychological symptoms.

Higher scores generally indicate stronger post-traumatic stress-related experiences including intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, emotional numbing, hypervigilance, guilt, and trauma-related distress.

The trauma exposure question is used as a screening item and is not included in the overall symptom score.

Dimensional scores may also be calculated to evaluate specific trauma-related psychological domains independently.

Have you ever experienced this kind of event?

In the past month, have you had nightmares about the event(s) or thought about the event(s) when you did not want to?

In the past month, have you 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)?

In the past month, have you been constantly on guard, watchful, or easily startled?

In the past month, have you felt numb or detached from people, activities, or your surroundings?

In the past month, have you felt guilty or unable to stop blaming yourself or others for the event(s) or any problems the event(s) may have caused?