Complex PTSD Test (C-PTSD)
A confidential self-assessment informed by the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), the standard measure of complex PTSD in the ICD-11. It looks at core post-traumatic symptoms and the deeper changes in self-worth and relationships that set CPTSD apart, then gives you an instant result and a professional PDF report you can keep or bring to a therapist.
Complex PTSD Test (C-PTSD) is a free, confidential 12-question self-assessment, informed by the validated ITQ. It takes about 4 minutes, runs entirely in your browser, and gives you a plain-language score across 3 interpretation bands plus a downloadable PDF report. It is an educational screening, not a diagnosis.
Two layers of complex post-traumatic stress, measured together
Complex PTSD is more than PTSD with extra weight. In the ICD-11 it combines the core post-traumatic symptoms with a second layer of changes in how you feel about yourself and connect with others. This test measures both, the way the ITQ does.
Core PTSD symptoms
The six ITQ items covering the three clusters of ICD-11 PTSD: re-experiencing the event in the here and now, avoiding reminders of it, and a persistent sense of current threat such as being on guard or easily startled.
Self & relationships (DSO)
The six ITQ items covering disturbances in self-organization: trouble calming down or feeling shut down, deep feelings of failure or worthlessness, and difficulty feeling close to other people. This layer is what distinguishes CPTSD.
A breakdown, not just a total
You get separate scores for the PTSD layer and the DSO layer. A DSO-heavy pattern and a PTSD-heavy pattern often point to different therapeutic needs, and seeing them side by side is more useful than one number.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| The 12 core ITQ symptom items | Rarely | Yes, faithful wording |
| PTSD vs DSO breakdown | No | Yes, both layers scored |
| Honest about the ICD-11 vs DSM-5 status | Usually glossed over | Yes, explained plainly |
| Clinician-reviewed interpretation | Rarely | Yes, clinician reviewed |
| Downloadable PDF report | No | Yes, branded & shareable |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
How scoring works
Answers are scored 0–48 in total. Your result falls into one of 3 bands:
| Score | Band | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 0–15 | Few signs of complex post-traumatic stress | You reported few of the symptoms this screening measures. That is reassuring for this measure, and your experience still matters more than any number. |
| 16–27 | Some signs worth exploring | You reported a moderate level of the symptoms this screening measures. That is worth exploring with someone trained in trauma, gently and without alarm. |
| 28–48 | Many signs consistent with complex post-traumatic stress | You reported many of the symptoms people with CPTSD describe. Please treat this as a clear signal to talk with a trauma-trained professional, not as a verdict. |
Methodology & sources
This test is informed by the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ; Cloitre et al., 2018), the freely available, validated self-report measure of ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD. It reproduces the 12 core symptom items: six covering the PTSD clusters (re-experiencing, avoidance, and sense of current threat, two items each) and six covering disturbances in self-organization or DSO (affect dysregulation, negative self-concept, and relationship disturbances, two items each). Item wording is lightly adapted for readability while preserving the meaning of the validated instrument. The PTSD items ask about the past month; the DSO items ask how you typically feel, as in the original ITQ.
One honest note on scoring. The real ITQ does not use a simple sum. It uses a per-cluster algorithm: an item counts as endorsed at a rating of 2 (Moderately) or higher, PTSD requires at least one endorsed item from each PTSD cluster plus functional impairment, and CPTSD requires the PTSD criteria plus at least one endorsed item from each DSO cluster and related impairment. The 0 to 48 total and the bands on this page are an educational simplification that gives you a readable overall picture. They are not the diagnostic algorithm, and only a licensed clinician can assess ICD-11 CPTSD. Treat your result as a structured starting point for reflection or a conversation with a professional.
References
- Cloitre M, Shevlin M, Brewin CR, Bisson JI, Roberts NP, Maercker A, Karatzias T, Hyland P. The International Trauma Questionnaire: development of a self-report measure of ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2018;138(6):536–546. doi.org/10.1111/acps.12956
- Brewin CR, Cloitre M, Hyland P, et al. A review of current evidence regarding the ICD-11 proposals for diagnosing PTSD and complex PTSD. Clin Psychol Rev. 2017;58:1–15. doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.09.001
- Karatzias T, Shevlin M, Fyvie C, et al. Evidence of distinct profiles of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) based on the new ICD-11 Trauma Questionnaire (ICD-TQ). J Affect Disord. 2017;207:181–187. doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.09.032
- World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11): 6B41 Complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Geneva: WHO; 2022. icd.who.int/browse/2025-01/mms/en#585833559
Complex PTSD Test (C-PTSD) FAQ
What is the difference between PTSD and complex PTSD?
PTSD can develop after any traumatic event and centers on re-experiencing, avoidance, and a sense of ongoing threat. Complex PTSD includes all of that plus a second layer: lasting difficulty managing emotions, a deeply negative view of yourself, and trouble feeling close to people. It is most often linked to trauma that was prolonged or repeated, frequently interpersonal and starting early in life, such as ongoing abuse, neglect, or captivity. If you want to screen for classic PTSD specifically, our PTSD test uses the brief PC-PTSD-5 screener.
How is this different from the childhood trauma (ACE) test?
The childhood trauma test counts adverse experiences that happened before age 18. It measures exposure, what happened to you. This test measures current symptoms, how post-traumatic stress and its deeper effects on self-worth and relationships are showing up in your life now. Many people find it useful to take both: one describes the history, the other describes the present.
Is complex PTSD in the DSM-5?
No, and it is fair to say so plainly. The ICD-11, the World Health Organization's diagnostic system used in much of the world, recognizes complex PTSD as its own diagnosis. The DSM-5, the manual most US clinicians use, does not list it separately; it folds some of the same features into a broader PTSD definition. Many trauma specialists still find the CPTSD framework clinically useful, and a US clinician can absolutely assess and treat these symptoms even if the label on paper reads differently.
Can complex PTSD heal?
Yes. Recovery is common with the right support, and it is usually gradual rather than instant. Many clinicians use a phase-based approach: first building safety and skills for managing intense emotions, then processing the traumatic memories, then rebuilding connection and a steadier sense of self. Evidence-based tools along the way include trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, and skills drawn from DBT for emotion regulation. The relational wounds at the heart of CPTSD often heal within a safe, consistent therapeutic relationship.
Is this test really confidential?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are never sent to a server, never stored, and never linked to you. No account is needed, and the optional PDF report is generated on your own device.
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