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Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Test

20 Questions
3 Minutes

Do you show signs of complex trauma?

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) refers to a disorder that develops following protracted trauma, or extensive trauma with other contributing factors. It’s marked by emotional dysregulation, negative self-perceptions, and difficulty with relationships, which impair important areas of daily life. Take this test to see if you might show signs of the disorder.

Using the key below, answer the questions based on how strongly you agree or disagree with the statement.

Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
1. I experienced a traumatic event, such as the threat of death, a serious injury, or sexual violence.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
2. I survived repeated interpersonal traumatic events.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
3. I find it hard to stay emotionally close to people.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
4. When I’m upset, it takes me a long time to calm down.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
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5. I mainly feel negative emotions, like horror, anger, guilt, or shame.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
6. I feel like a failure.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
7. I have difficulty falling or staying asleep.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
8. I feel distant or cut off from people.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
9. I have flashbacks in which I feel or act as if a traumatic event were recurring.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
10. I feel numb or emotionally shut down.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
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11. I’m hypervigilant and reactive.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
12. I’ve felt concerned about my social life and relationships in the past month due to these challenges.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
13. I have negative beliefs, like “No one can be trusted,” or “The world is completely dangerous.”
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
14. My relationships feel chaotic.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
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15. I have recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of a traumatic event.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
16. These challenges have affected my ability to work in the past month.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
17. I avoid things that remind me of a traumatic event, like people, places, activities, or memories.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
18. I rarely feel positive emotions, like happiness or satisfaction.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
19. I have problems with concentration.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
20. These problems have hindered important parts of my life, such as relationships, school, work, or other activities, in the past month.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
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Who Is This Test For?

This test is for anyone who has experienced trauma or thinks they have symptoms of C-PTSD. It’s designed for adults and is not intended to be diagnostic.

We value your privacy - see how we protect the info you provide when you take this test.

How to Get Help

If you think you have symptoms of C-PTSD, you can speak to a mental health professional about ways to address them. You can find someone in the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.

Sources

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Edition).
  • Cloitre, M., et al. International Trauma Questionnaire. International Classification of Diseases (11th Revision).