An experienced clinician can identify and interpret the signs and symptoms of PTSD, but it must be coupled with knowledge about your life and your experience.

Clear-cut cases are easy to recognize, but the boundary between PTSD and other psychiatric disorders may be blurred and difficult to define. Some people may seek treatment for relatively minor symptoms while others may avoid treatment despite having severe symptoms. How can you tell if you need help? The first step can be taking our computerized quiz.

While a computer cannot replace diagnosis by a qualified clinician, this PTSD Symptom Checklist* can help identify the presence of symptoms. Your doctor can help you put them in context. If your score indicates that you may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, we strongly encourage you to seek help. A full evaluation of medical, psychiatric, social and cultural aspects of your life should be done before a diagnosis of PTSD can be made.

*This checklist is reprinted by permission of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Symptoms listed here are based on criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.