. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Dec 1.

Published in final edited form as: Psychol Assess. 2014 Jun 16;26(4):1138–1145. doi: 10.1037/a0037133

Table 1.

PCL-5^a items arranged according to DSM-5 proposed factor structure

Intrusions	1.	Intrusive memories
	2.	Nightmares
	3.	Flashbacks
	4.	Emotional reactivity
	5.	Physical reactivity

Avoidance	6.	Avoidance of internal reminders
Avoidance	7.	Avoidance of external reminders

Negative alterations in mood and cognitions	8.	Amnesia
	9.	^*Negative beliefs
	10.	^*Distorted blame
	11.	^*Negative emotions
	12.	Loss of interest
	13.	Distant or cut off
	14.	Lack of positive emotions

Hyper-arousal	15.	Irritable or angry
	16.	^*Recklessness/self-destructive behavior
	17.	Hypervigilance
	18.	Exaggerated startle
	19.	Difficulty concentrating
	20.	Difficulty with sleep

Note.

Items added or revised to measure new DSM-5 criteria (9, 10, 11, 16).

The PCL-5 is available from the National Center for PTSD, Veterans Health Administration: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/assessments/ptsd-checklist.asp