Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale – PDS

Having upsetting thoughts or images about the traumatic event that came into your head when you didn't want them to

Having bad dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event

Reliving the traumatic event, acting or feeling as if it was happening again

Feeling emotionally upset when you were reminded of the traumatic event (e.g., feeling scared, sad, angry, guilty, etc.)

Experiencing physical reactions when you were reminded of the traumatic event (e.g., breaking out in a sweat, heart beating fast)

Trying not to think about, or have feelings about the traumatic event

Trying to avoid activities, people, or places that remind you of the traumatic event

Inability to recall an important aspect of the trauma

Having much less interest or participating much less often in important activities

Feeling distant or cut off from people around you

Feeling emotionally numb (for example, being unable to cry or unable to have loving feelings)

Feeling as if your future plans or hopes will not come true (for example, you will not have a career, marriage, children, or a long life)

Having trouble falling or staying asleep

Feeling irritable or having fits of anger

Having trouble concentrating (for example, drifting in and out of conversations, losing track of a story on television, forgetting what you read)

Being overly alert (for example, checking to see who is around you, being uncomfortable with your back to a door, etc.)

Being jumpy and easily startled (for example, when someone walks up behind you)