Symptom Checklist
Example Data Table
Sample entries show how exported rows look. Your downloads include only your saved results.
| Date | Total | Severity | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-01 10:15 | 18 | Minimal | 6 | 1 | 6 | 5 |
| 2026-02-14 21:40 | 34 | Mild | 10 | 3 | 12 | 9 |
| 2026-02-27 09:05 | 52 | Moderate | 16 | 4 | 18 | 14 |
Formula Used
- Item score: each response is scored from 0 to 4.
- Total score: Sum of all 20 item scores (range 0–80).
- Cluster subtotals: B = items 1–5, C = 6–7, D = 8–14, E = 15–20.
- Severity band: Minimal (0–20), Mild (21–40), Moderate (41–60), Severe (61–80).
How to Use This Calculator
- Think about the past month and answer each item.
- Press Submit & Calculate to view totals above the form.
- Use Download CSV to keep a private log over time.
- Use Download PDF to share a snapshot with a clinician.
- Re-check weekly or monthly to spot trends, not single-day swings.
Professional Notes
What the Total Score Represents
This calculator sums 20 symptom ratings scored 0–4, producing a total from 0 to 80. Higher totals indicate greater symptom burden. For tracking, changes of 5–10 points across repeated checks can reflect a noticeable shift in distress, sleep, or concentration. Scores are most useful when you answer for the same time window over time.
Why Cluster Subtotals Matter
Cluster subtotals clarify which areas drive the total. Intrusion (items 1–5) captures re-experiencing, Avoidance (6–7) reflects pulling away from reminders, Negative mood and cognitions (8–14) covers beliefs and emotional tone, and Arousal/reactivity (15–20) highlights sleep, vigilance, irritability, and startle. When one cluster rises, targeted coping can be more effective than broad goals.
Interpreting Bands With Care
The bands used here—Minimal (0–20), Mild (21–40), Moderate (41–60), Severe (61–80)—are informational ranges for self-monitoring. They are not diagnostic cutoffs and can be influenced by recent stressors, physical illness, or other mental health conditions. Treat bands as a communication tool and pair them with notes about functioning at work, school, or home.
Using Trends for Better Decisions
A single high score can follow a trigger, anniversary, conflict, or demanding week. A sustained rise across multiple saved entries is more meaningful. The trend graph turns saved rows into a timeline so you can connect changes with sleep hours, workload, therapy sessions, medication adjustments, or major events. Many people find gradual improvements easier to see on a chart than in memory.
Sharing Results With Clinicians
Exports summarize totals and clusters with a timestamp, making discussions more concrete. Bring the PDF to an appointment and describe the context of each entry. Clinicians may compare patterns with functional impact, duration, and differential causes such as anxiety, depression, pain, or substance-related effects. If you already have a treatment plan, these numbers can support shared decision-making and goal review.
Practical Steps After Scoring
If scores are moderate or severe, prioritize stable sleep routines, reduce avoidant safety behaviors, and lean on supportive relationships. Evidence-based care may include trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, or exposure-based approaches delivered by trained professionals. If you feel unsafe, seek urgent help. Tracking supports action when paired with follow-up and compassion.
FAQs
Is this a diagnosis for PTSD?
No. It estimates symptom severity for self-tracking. Diagnosis requires a clinician to review duration, impairment, trauma exposure, and other conditions that can mimic or overlap symptoms.
How often should I take the test?
Weekly or monthly is usually enough. Use a consistent day and time. Frequent testing can increase anxiety and make small daily changes feel larger than they are.
What if my score changes a lot?
Scores can move with triggers, sleep loss, stress, or substance use. Focus on multi-entry patterns. If rises persist for several checks or daily function drops, consider professional support.
Why show cluster breakdowns?
Clusters highlight what drives the total. One person may struggle most with sleep and hypervigilance, while another struggles with avoidance. This makes coping and treatment discussions more specific.
Can I share exports safely?
Share only with trusted people or clinicians. Store files privately because they contain sensitive information. If using a shared device, delete downloads and clear browser history afterward.
What should I do with a high score?
If you feel unsafe, seek urgent help. Otherwise, consider trauma-informed care, improve sleep habits, and reduce avoidance gradually. Bring your trend and context notes to a clinician for guidance.
Safety Note
This tool supports reflection and tracking. If you feel in immediate danger, contact local emergency services. If you’re struggling with thoughts of self-harm, consider reaching out to a trusted person or a crisis line in your area.
If you are in the United States or Canada, you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.