PTSD check (PC-PTSD-5)
A brief, widely used screen for post-traumatic stress symptoms.
This check uses the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5), developed by the VA National Center for PTSD. After one opening question, it asks 5 yes-or-no questions about the past month.
Your answers stay on this device — nothing is sent or saved anywhere.
DocSana self-checks are for information only. They are screening tools, not diagnoses: only a licensed clinician can diagnose a mental health condition. Your answers are scored in your browser and are never sent to or stored by DocSana. We count visits to these pages with privacy-friendly analytics that use no cookies and never receive your answers or results. There is no advertising tracking on self-check pages. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911 if you're in immediate danger.
Common questions
What is the PC-PTSD-5?
The PC-PTSD-5 — the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 — is a 5-question PTSD test from the VA National Center for PTSD. It asks about nightmares, avoidance, hypervigilance and other trauma symptoms. People search for it as the PC-PTSD-5 test or PTSD screening questionnaire.
Do I have to describe what happened?
No — not here, and not to get a useful screen. This check never asks for details about the event.
Is this a diagnosis?
No. It's a screening tool. A positive screen means your answers look like probable PTSD; only a licensed clinician can diagnose it after a full evaluation.
What treatments work for PTSD?
Trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR, cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and prolonged exposure have strong evidence. A trauma-trained therapist can explain your options.
What if I feel overwhelmed taking this?
Pause any time — there's no timer. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 right now.
The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) was developed by the VA National Center for PTSD and is in the public domain. Reference: Prins, A., et al. (2016).
Clinical review pending This page was written by the DocSana team and is awaiting review by a licensed clinician.