PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Test

Do I have PTSD? Have you ever experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, war, sexual assault, or other traumatic events? If Yes —

Then you may be re-experiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative changes in thoughts and feelings, and increased arousal such as feeling jumpy or easily irritated. If yes then you need to find out whether you may need professional help for a proper diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

How To Know If I Have PTSD?

Everyone may encounter a traumatic event in their lives, but not all will develop symptoms severe enough to result in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

If you are concerned about whether you may have Ptsd then it is time to take our screening test and which can help you determine whether or not you may have signs of PTSD and how severe they are.

How Accurate Is Ptsd Test?

This screening test serves only as a screening tool and not as a diagnostic tool. A definite PTSD diagnosis requires evaluation by a mental health professional considering other factors as well.

The screening tool follows the criteria stated in the DSM-5 for PTSD diagnosis.

Read all questions carefully, these questions are related to your life experiences and behavior. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Test

1. In your life, you must have witnessed life-threatening events which caused fear for many weeks.

Question 1 of 23

2. In your life you must have seen dreadful events like witnessing an accident or having a person die in your hands etc.

Question 2 of 23

3. In your life, you might have heard a lot of bad news which made you feel helplessness and fear. For example, you heard that your neighbor died and you felt fear for at least 3 days.

Question 3 of 23

4. You are getting thoughts and images of past fearful events and you need to ignore them by making yourself busy.

Question 4 of 23

5. Look at the picture carefully and tell have you remembered your past fearful event.

ptsd

Question 5 of 23

6. You avoid going to places that may remind you of past fearful events, for example, you might avoid going to a graveyard.

Question 6 of 23

7. You are having nightmares in which you feel helpless, have weak legs or hands, and cannot run away from the dangerous situation.

Question 7 of 23

8. Look at the picture below and see if it triggers fear.

ptst1

Question 8 of 23

9. After remembering fearful past events, you feel breathless, insecure, and need to remain in contact with people.

Question 9 of 23

10. You need to control thoughts that remind you of past events.

Question 10 of 23

11. You avoid activities, feelings and conversations that trigger your fearful thoughts.

Question 11 of 23

12. Do you sometimes feel you are unable to remember something important about the past fearful event? This makes you research thoroughly and reflect.

Question 12 of 23

13. Do you think, since the particular fearful event took place, that you feel less interested in activities or hobbies that you once enjoyed?

Question 13 of 23

14. Do you sometimes find that there are thousands of fearful stories stored in your mind, which you have heard from other people or experienced in your life?

Question 14 of 23

15. Do you sometimes think your future will be dark; and that you won't get a job or get married and have children, and will not live a normal life?

Question 15 of 23

16. You worry about not being able to fall asleep and you often take sleeping pills.

Question 16 of 23

17. Do you face difficulty while:

1. Expressing how much you love a person
2. Expressing anger
3. Attempting to laugh
4. Focusing on conversation

Question 17 of 23

18. Sometimes you may be easily annoyed, become angry, or suddenly show an outburst of anger.

Question 18 of 23

19. After you suddenly displayed anger, you feel guilt and tearful.

Question 19 of 23

20. Do you have difficulty concentrating, and feel unable to focus on an object or thing?

Question 20 of 23

21. You sometimes feel angry with your mental status and think it is too much to live in this world, and want to die.

Question 21 of 23

22. You are feeling sudden shocks and alarms.

Question 22 of 23

23. You are feeling detached from other people and the rest of the world.

Question 23 of 23


 

Post-traumatic stress disorder FAQS

How Does a PTSD Test Work?

A PTSD test typically works by evaluating a person’s symptoms to determine if they meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD as outlined in the DSM-5, the diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals.

The test may include questions about the individual’s experience with trauma and symptoms such as:

  • Re-experiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks or nightmares.
  • Avoidance and numbing behaviors, such as avoiding reminders of the trauma.
  • Increased arousal and reactivity, such as feeling jumpy or easily irritated.

The results of the test are then used to determine the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms and guide treatment recommendations.

However, keep in mind that a self-administered screening test is not a substitute for a professional mental health assessment, and a PTSD diagnosis can only be made by a mental health professional.

Can I self-diagnose Ptsd?

No, self-diagnosis of PTSD is not accurate. Only a mental health professional with specialized training can accurately diagnose PTSD due to its complexity as a mental health condition.

It is true that self-assessment tools and screening tests can help find out whether you may be at risk of developing PTSD, but they are not accurate and a substitute for a professional assessment, You should not use these self-assessment tools to diagnose PTSD.

What are the first steps to determine if I have PTSD?

There is no shortcut to be used to find if you may be suffering from PTSD and whether you need treatment or not but we have prepared these 20 self-assessment questionnaires and you can ask yourself these questions. If you agree with most of these questions then it is time to find professional help for proper diagnosis.

  1. Do I have memories or flashbacks from a traumatic event that upset me?
  2. Do I stay away from things that make me remember the traumatic event?
  3. Do I have trouble sleeping or have bad dreams about the trauma?
  4. Do I get angry or irritated easily?
  5. Do I feel anxious or always on edge?
  6. Do I have a hard time concentrating?
  7. Do I feel numb or distant from others?
  8. Do I avoid talking about the traumatic event?
  9. Do I feel hopeless about the future?
  10. Do I feel guilty or ashamed about what happened?
  11. Do I get scared easily or startle easily?
  12. Do I have physical symptoms like a fast heart or sweating when reminded of the trauma?
  13. Do I have trouble remembering parts of the traumatic event?
  14. Do I have less interest in things I used to enjoy?
  15. Do I feel emotionally distant from others?
  16. Do I feel detached or separate from others?
  17. Do I find it hard to trust others?
  18. Do I feel guilty for surviving when others didn’t?
  19. Do I always feel like something bad is going to happen?
  20. Do I feel like the world is a dangerous place?

Is PTSD a form of anxiety?

People with PTSD experience symptoms like reliving the traumatic event, avoiding reminders of it, having negative thoughts and moods, and feeling on edge.

These symptoms can lead to significant anxiety and make daily life challenging, just like with other anxiety disorders.

Moreover, PTSD and anxiety disorders can also cause physical symptoms like a fast heartbeat, sweating, and trouble sleeping, adding to the fear and distress.

Can PTSD cause bipolar disorder?

There is no avoidance that PTSD can cause bipolar disorder, but it can co-occur.

Bipolar disorder is a separate mental health condition characterized by shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels.

PTSD is a condition related to a traumatic event.

However, mental health experts believe that having PTSD can increase the risk for other mental health problems, including bipolar disorder.

 

Related Screening Tests:

  • Stress Test
  • Borderline Personality Disorder Test
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Screening Test
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder Test (GAD)
  • Social Anxiety Test
  • Dissociative Identity Disorder Test
  • Anxiety Test – Do I Have Anxiety?
  • Dependent Personality Disorder Test
  • Dysthymic Disorder Test
  • Avoidant Personality Disorder Test