Experiencing symptoms following trauma?
Take this quick, confidential screener to better understand your feelings and if trauma support may help.*
Start the screenerYou deserve peace—and it is possible
Experiencing symptoms that affect your relationships, work, sleep, or sense of safety can be overwhelming. Trauma is common, and healing is possible.
Nema Health offers specialized, trauma-focused care designed to meet you where you are on your healing journey.
Speak to our teamFor Healthcare Providers: How to use this screener
The PC-PTSD-5 is a validated tool for use in primary care and general medical settings.
About this screener
The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) is a 5-question tool used in medical settings to quickly check if someone might have PTSD. It starts by asking if the person has ever experienced a traumatic event. If they haven’t, the screening ends with a score of 0. If they have, they answer 5 yes/no questions about how the trauma has affected them in the past month.The PC-PTSD-5 helps identify people who may have PTSD, but it’s not a diagnosis. If someone screens positive, they should have a more in-depth evaluation—ideally with a structured interview like the CAPS-5. If that’s not possible due to time or staff limitations, a validated self-report tool like the PCL-5 can be used for further assessment.
Note: This is a screener, not a diagnostic.
Scoring
The PC-PTSD-5 is scored from 0–5 based on the number of “yes” responses after a trauma exposure. A cut-off score of 4 is generally effective, especially for men, but may miss many cases in women. Clinicians may lower the cut-off for women if resources allow or raise it to reduce false positives when resources are limited. Cut-point selection should consider the patient population and screening goals.The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) is a 5-question tool used in medical settings to quickly check if someone might have PTSD. It starts by asking if the person has ever experienced a traumatic event. If they haven’t, the screening ends with a score of 0. If they have, they answer 5 yes/no questions about how the trauma has affected them in the past month.The PC-PTSD-5 helps identify people who may have PTSD, but it’s not a diagnosis. If someone screens positive, they should have a more in-depth evaluation—ideally with a structured interview like the CAPS-5. If that’s not possible due to time or staff limitations, a validated self-report tool like the PCL-5 can be used for further assessment.
From trauma to PTSD
While it’s common to experience a stress reaction after a traumatic event, PTSD occurs when those symptoms fail to go away after one month.
Trauma occurs
83% of Americans have suffered a trauma—exposure to actual or threatened death or harm. Exposures can be events that happened directly to you, or those you witnessed happen to others.
Post-traumatic stress begins
It’s common for most people to develop a stress reaction after suffering a traumatic event. These reactions can include anxiety, avoidance, guilt, intrusive thoughts, and muscle tension.Â
Symptoms continue, becoming PTSD
If symptoms linger for more than 1 month, it may be PTSD. With proper support and treatment from mental health professionals, healing is possible.Â
What PTSD looks and feels like
Re-experiencing Symptoms
Avoidance
Changes in Mood or Thinking
Increased Arousal / Reactivity
FAQ
What if I don’t remember the trauma?
Can PTSD show up years later?
What happens after I reach out?
Is this confidential?
We're in-network with major health insurance plans
Nema is available in the following states
*This is a screening tool, not medical advice.