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PCL-5 Questionnaire: A PTSD Checklist for DSM-5

Evaluate symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) quickly and reliably with a digitized version of the PCL-5 questionnaire. Quantify test for PTSD symptoms, quantify symptom severity,  and support PTSD diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment decisions, according to DSM-5 criteria.

 

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Why Use the PCL-5 to Inform PTSD Diagnosis? 

Post-traumatic stress disorder can be difficult to recognize—especially when symptoms overlap with other conditions. The PCL-5 helps bring structure and clarity to the evaluation process, giving clinicians a consistent way to assess symptom presence, severity, and impact.

Consistent Assessment

Consistent Assessment

The PCL-5 offers a standardized format for evaluating PTSD symptoms across patients and settings, helping ensure no key criteria are overlooked and that assessments are guided by DSM-5 guidelines for diagnosing PTSD.

Database

Validated Scoring 

Built on strong psychometric evidence—including internal consistency and test-retest reliability—the PCL-5 provides symptom severity and cluster scores that support accurate, defensible diagnostic decisions.

Track Over Time

Trackable Progress

Total and cluster symptom severity scores help clinicians monitor patient progress and detect clinically significant change--evaluating treatment effectiveness and ensuring care plans adapt based on measurable outcomes.

A Better Way to Track Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The DSM-5 Checklist in Action

The PCL-5 questionnaire in Creyos is a 20-question self-assessment that measures a patient's PTSD symptoms. It helps clinicians make informed decisions about PTSD diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up—without added complexity.

  • Instantly generates total symptom severity and cluster scores
  • Highlights clinically significant change to track progress over time
  • Supports provisional diagnosis and identifies probable PTSD
  • Reduces risk of false positives with clear, structured results
  • Enables confident care planning with every completed assessment

Efficient, digital, and clinically grounded—Creyos makes it easier to monitor and manage post traumatic stress disorder in any setting.

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How to Use the PCL-5 Questionnaire

Step 1: Help Patient Prepare

Patients can complete the PCL-5 questionnaire in person through the Creyos Health platform on an in-clinic device or at home through a provided link.

Step 2: Administer Questionnaire

In a series of 20 questions, the PCL-5 asks patients to evaluate PTSD symptoms within the past month.

Step 3: Access Automatic Results

Creyos Health automatically scores the patient’s results and provides a comprehensive report. A score of 31-33 or higher is indicative of PTSD.

Step 4: Discuss, Plan, and Reassess

Healthcare providers can discuss results with patients and plan for follow-up assessments to track meaningful change over time.

How to use PCL5

The Relationship Between PTSD and Cognitive Health

Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event can have a profound and long-lasting impact on a person’s life, and the World Health Organization estimates that nearly 4% of the global population has experienced PTSD at some point in their lives. This condition can significantly affect cognitive health, causing difficulties with concentration, memory, emotional processing, and executive functioning. Understanding PTSD symptoms is the key to treatment, and the PCL-5 in Creyos Health can help.

Source: World Health Organization, 2024

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Simplify PTSD Assessment and Management with Creyos

Administer the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) alongside other behavioral health questionnaires and cognitive tests—all in one platform that’s easy for both clinicians and patients to use. No juggling systems, no manual scoring—just a streamlined way to assess symptoms, track changes, and support better mental health care.

Simplify PTSD Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PCL-5 questionnaire and how is it used in clinical settings?

The PCL-5 is a self-report measure designed to assess the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms based on the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition). Also known as the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, the PCL-5 is commonly used by qualified health professionals to support a provisional PTSD diagnosis, monitor clinically significant changes, and screen individuals for further assessment or treatment.

How reliable is the PCL-5 as a PTSD assessment tool?

The PCL-5 demonstrates strong internal consistency and test-retest reliability, with initial psychometric evaluations confirming its discriminant validity. Developed by the National Center for PTSD, the tool is supported by research from the Behavioral Science Division and is considered a reliable instrument for identifying clinically meaningful change in PTSD symptom severity over time.

What scoring method is used, and what does a high score on the PCL-5 indicate?

Each item on the PCL-5 contributes to a total symptom severity score and can be grouped into symptom cluster severity scores (Clusters B–E). A higher cut point score, typically in the range of 31–33 or above, may indicate probable PTSD or the need for further evaluation. Different cutoff scores may be used depending on the clinical context, with adjustments made to minimize false positives in high-risk populations.

Can the PCL-5 replace a structured clinical interview for diagnosing PTSD?

No, while the PCL-5 is a valuable tool for screening and tracking PTSD symptoms, a formal PTSD diagnosis should be made using a structured clinical interview and other inputs. The PCL-5 questionnaire helps clinicians gather information quickly, but it is not intended to replace a comprehensive clinical assessment or be the sole tool used in diagnosis. 

How does the PCL-5 support tracking patient progress and treatment response?

Because it is a repeatable item self-report measure, the PCL-5 allows clinicians to monitor symptom change over time. By comparing symptom severity scores across sessions, providers can evaluate treatment effectiveness, identify clinically significant change, and adjust care plans accordingly. It is especially useful in long-term care and trauma-informed treatment settings.

What are common PTSD symptoms assessed by the PCL-5?

The PTSD checklist for DSM-5 includes symptoms such as unwanted memories, difficulty concentrating, angry outbursts, irritable behavior, strong negative beliefs, trouble experiencing positive feelings, and strong physical reactions to trauma-related cues. These symptoms are aligned with the DSM-5 PTSD criteria, specifically Clusters B (intrusion), C (avoidance), D (negative alterations in cognition and mood), and E (arousal and reactivity).

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