A symptom checklist to help clients reflect on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and consider whether further psychological assessment may be helpful.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While it’s common to feel distressed after trauma, PTSD is marked by persistent symptoms such as unwanted memories, high arousal, avoidance, and emotional numbing. This symptom checklist is informed by DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria and helps clients and clinicians explore whether a person’s symptoms may be consistent with PTSD. It is not intended to provide a diagnosis or assess severity, but it can support early discussions about whether further evaluation is warranted.
PTSD often goes unrecognized or is mistaken for general anxiety or stress. This resource:
For clients with intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, or emotional numbing after trauma.
For people who have experienced accidents, assault, combat, or disaster.
Gently introduce the possibility of PTSD using the suggested therapeutic prompt.
Complete the checklist collaboratively to reflect on symptom clusters.
Discuss the results in the context of trauma history and current functioning.
Use responses to support psychoeducation, structured assessment, or referral.
According to the DSM-5, PTSD involves exposure to a traumatic event and symptoms from four clusters: intrusion (e.g., nightmares, flashbacks), avoidance (e.g., avoiding thoughts or places), negative alterations in cognition and mood (e.g., guilt, detachment), and hyperarousal (e.g., sleep disturbance, hypervigilance).
The ICD-11 defines PTSD by three core symptom clusters:
This symptom checklist is informed by both DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria. It is not intended to provide a formal diagnosis or assess severity but may support early recognition and therapeutic exploration. Clinicians can use it to validate a client’s experiences and facilitate conversations that may lead to further assessment.
