What PTSD can look like
Post-traumatic stress disorder can follow any frightening or dangerous experience, not only combat. It often shows up as unwanted memories or nightmares, avoiding reminders, feeling constantly on alert, and feeling cut off from people.
Most people have some of these reactions in the weeks after a traumatic event. When they last for more than a month or keep getting in the way, it may be PTSD.
About this self-check
The questions are the PC-PTSD-5, a short screener from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD, used in primary care. It never asks what happened, only how it has affected you.
Your answers stay in your browser. Saycalm doesn't see or store them, and only sends them anywhere if you ask us to email you your results.
The questions
The first asks whether you've ever been through a traumatic event. If you have, five yes-or-no questions ask about the past month.
- Sometimes things happen to people that are unusually or especially frightening, horrible, or traumatic, like 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, or having a loved one die through homicide or suicide. Have you ever experienced this kind of event?
- Had nightmares about the event(s) or thought about the event(s) when you did not want to?
- 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)?
- Been constantly on guard, watchful, or easily startled?
- Felt numb or detached from people, activities, or your surroundings?
- Felt guilty or unable to stop blaming yourself or others for the event(s) or any problems the event(s) may have caused?
Common questions
Can I have PTSD if the event happened a long time ago?
Yes. Symptoms can start months or even years later, or last for a long time. Effective treatment is available no matter how long ago it was.
Do I have to talk about what happened to get help?
Not right away, and not in detail unless you're ready. A good clinician goes at your pace. Some treatments involve working with the memory, but always with your agreement and support.
What treatments work for PTSD?
Trauma-focused therapies, such as prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, and EMDR, have the strongest evidence. Some medications also help. Many people improve a lot within a few months of starting treatment.
Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5). Prins, A., Bovin, M. J., Kimerling, R., et al. (2015). National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Public domain. Used for screening only; not a diagnosis.
