Case study

Brief Trauma
Questionnaire (BTQ)

Version date: 1999

Reference: Schnurr, P., Vielhauer, M., Weathers, F.,
& Findler, M. (1999). The Brief Trauma Questionnaire
(BTQ) [Measurement instrument]. Available from
http://www.ptsd.va.gov

URL: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/as-
sessment/te-
measures/brief_trauma_question-
naire_btq.asp

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Brief Trauma Questionnaire

The BTQ is a brief self- report questionnaire that is derived from the Brief Trauma Interview (Schnurr et al., 1995).
(Information about the reliability and validity of the BTI is provided in Schnurr et al., 2002). The BTQ was originally
designed to assess traumatic exposure according to DSM‐IV but specifically asked only about Criterion A.1 (life
threat/serious injury) because of the difficulty of accurately assessing A.2 (subjective response) in a brief self- report
format. Criterion A.2 has been eliminated from the PTSD diagnostic criteria in DSM- 5, so the BTQ provides a complete
assessment of Criterion A.

The questionnaire may be used to determine whether an individual has had an event that meets the A Criterion, or to
determine the different types of Criterion A events an individual has experienced. In either case, exposure to an event
should be scored as positive if a respondent says yes to either:

• life threat or serious injury for events 1- 3 and 5- 7;
• life threat for event 4;
• serious injury for event 8, or;
• “Has this ever happened to you?” for events 9 and 10.

Information about the BTQ appears in the following articles:

Koenen, K.C., De Vivo, I., Rich- Edwards, J., Smoller, J.W., Wright, R.J., & Purcell, S.M. (2009). Protocol for investigating
genetic determinants of posttraumatic stress disorder in women from the Nurses’ Health Study II. BMC Psychiatry, 9
(article 29).

Kubzansky, L. D., Bordelois, P., Jun, H. J., Roberts, A. L., Cerda, M., Bluestong, N., & Koenen, K. C. (2014). The weight of
traumatic stress: A prospective study of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and weight status in women. JAMA
Psychiatry, 71, 44-51.

Lancaster, S.L., Melka, S.E., & Rodriguez, B.F. (2009). A factor analytic comparison of five models of PTSD symptoms.
Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23, 269- 274.

Morgan, C.A., III, Doran, A.P., Steffians, G., Hazlett, G.,& Southwick, S. (2006). Stress- induced deficits in working memory
and visuo- constructive abilites in special operations soldiers. Biological Psychiatry, 60, 722- 729.

Morgan, C.A., III, Hazlett, G., Wang, S., Richardson, E.G., Jr., Schnurr, P.P., & Southwick, S.M. (2001). Symptoms of
dissociation in humans experiencing acute, uncontrollable stress: A prospective investigation. American Journal of
Psychiatry, 158, 1239- 1247.

Morgan, C.A., III, Rasmusson, A.M., Winters, B., Hauger, R.L., Morgan, J., Hazlett, G., & Southwick, S.M. (2006). Trauma
exposure rather than posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with reduced baseline plasma neuropeptide- Y
levels. Biological Psychiatry, 54, 1087- 1091.

Schnurr, P.P., Spiro, A. III, Vielhauer, M.J., Findler, M.N., & Hamblen, J.L. (2002). Trauma in the lives of older men: Findings
from the Normative Aging Study. Journal of Clinical Geropsychology, 8, 175- 187.

Whealin, J.M., Batzer, W.B., Morgan, C.A. III, Schnurr, P.P., & Friedman, M.J. (2007). Cohesion, burnout, and past trauma in
Tri- Service medical and support personnel. Military Medicine, 172, 266- 272.

Page 1 of 2 BTQ (1999) National Center for PTSD

Brief Trauma Questionnaire

The following questions ask about events that may be extraordinarily stressful or disturbing for almost
everyone. Please circle “Yes” or “No” to report what has happened to you.

If you answer “Yes” for an event, please answer any additional questions that are listed on the right side of the page
to report: (1) whether you thought your life was in danger or you might be seriously injured; and (2) whether you were
seriously injured.

If you answer “No” for an event, go on to the next event.

Event
Has this ever
happened to

you?

If the event
happened, did
you think your

life was in danger
or you might be

seriously injured?

If the event
happened,
were you
seriously
injured?

1. Have you ever served in a war zone, or have you ever served in
a noncombat job that exposed you to war-related casualties (for
example, as a medic or on graves registration duty?)

No Yes No Yes No Yes

2. Have you ever been in a serious car accident, or a serious
accident at work or somewhere else?

No Yes No Yes No Yes

3. Have you ever been in a major natural or technological disaster,
such as a fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, earthquake, or chemical
spill?

No Yes No Yes No Yes

4. Have you ever had a life-threatening illness such as cancer, a heart
attack, leukemia, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, etc.? No Yes No Yes

N/A

5. Before age 18, were you ever physically punished or beaten by a
parent, caretaker, or teacher so that: you were very frightened; or
you thought you would be injured; or you received bruises, cuts,
welts, lumps or other injuries?

No Yes No Yes No Yes

6. Not including any punishments or beatings you already reported
in Question 5, have you ever been attacked, beaten, or mugged by
anyone, including friends, family members or strangers?

No Yes No Yes No Yes

7. Has anyone ever made or pressured you into having some type of
unwanted sexual contact?

Note: By sexual contact we mean any contact between someone
else and your private parts or between you and some else’s
private parts

No Yes No Yes No Yes

8. Have you ever been in any other situation in which you were
seriously injured, or have you ever been in any other situation in
which you feared you might be seriously injured or killed?

No Yes N/A No Yes

9. Has a close family member or friend died violently, for example, in
a serious car crash, mugging, or attack?

No Yes N/A No Yes

10. Have you ever witnessed a situation in which someone was
seriously injured or killed, or have you ever witnessed a situation
in which you feared someone would be seriously injured or killed?

Note: Do not answer “yes” for any event you already reported in
Questions 1-9

No Yes N/A N/A

Page 2 of 2 BTQ (1999) National Center for PTSD

CAPS-CA-5 1

National Center for PTSD

CLINICIAN-ADMINISTERED PTSD SCALE FOR DSM-5

CHILD/ADOLESCENT VERSION

(Revised September 2015)

Child’s Name: __________________________ ID #________ Age: _____ Sex: □ Girl □ Boy

Grade in School: _____ School: _________________________________________________

Teacher: _______________________ City/State: __________________________________

Interviewer Name/ID # ________________________________________________________

Date (month, day, year): ____/____/____ (Session #________)

Robert S. Pynoos, Frank W. Weathers, Alan M. Steinberg, Brian P. Marx, Christopher M. Layne,

Danny G. Kaloupek, Paula P. Schnurr, Terence M. Keane, Dudley D. Blake, Elana Newman,

Kathleen O. Nader & Julie A. Kriegler

National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

Do not use, duplicate or distribute without permission from: National Center for PTSD

Inquiries, comments, or requests for copies may be directed to the National Center for PTSD: [email protected]

Please note that several authors have switched affiliations; K. Nader is now at Nader and Associates, Aliso

Viejo, CA; J. A. Kriegler is at Permanente Medical Group, Santa Clara, CA; D. D. Blake is now at Boise

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; and, E. Newman is at University of Tulsa.

The authors acknowledge the assistance of Julie Kaplow for pilot testing item wording for DSM-5.

CAPS-CA-5 2

Instructions

Standard administration and scoring of the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 – Child/Adolescent Version

(CAPS-CA-5) are essential for producing reliable and valid scores and diagnostic decisions. The CAPS-CA-5 should be

administered only by qualified interviewers who have formal training in structured clinical interviewing and differential

diagnosis, a thorough understanding of the DSM-5 symptom criteria for PTSD, and detailed knowledge of the features

and conventions of the CAPS-CA-5 itself.

The CAPS-CA-5 is based upon DSM-5 criteria for PTSD for children and adolescents ages 7 and above. Because the

criteria and diagnostic thresholds are different for the Pre-school Subtype, the CAPS-CA-5 is not intended for the

evaluation of PTSD based on DSM-5 criteria for children ages 6 and younger.

Administration

1. Identify an index traumatic event to serve as the basis for symptom inquiry: administer a structured, evidence-based

method for taking a comprehensive trauma history, such as the Life Events Checklist – Child Version for DSM-IV and

Criterion A inquiry provided on p. 6. Alternatively, use the Trauma History Profile portion of the UCLA

Child/Adolescent PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-5©. The index event may involve either a single incident (e.g., the

accident) or multiple related incidents (e.g., experiencing physical or sexual abuse, witnessing domestic violence

affecting an adult in the home).

2. Read prompts verbatim, one at a time, and in the order presented, EXCEPT:

a. Use the respondent’s own words for labeling the index event or describing specific symptoms.

b. Rephrase standard prompts to acknowledge previously reported information, but return to verbatim phrasing as

soon as possible. For example, inquiry for item 20 might begin: “You already mentioned having problems

sleeping. What kinds of problems?”

c. If you don’t have sufficient information after exhausting all standard prompts, follow up ad lib. In this situation,

repeating the initial prompt often helps refocus the respondent.

d. As needed, ask for specific examples or direct the respondent to elaborate even when such prompts are not

provided explicitly.

3. In general, DO NOT suggest responses. If a respondent has pronounced difficulty understanding a prompt it may be

necessary to offer a brief example to clarify and illustrate. However, this should be done rarely and only after the

respondent has been given ample opportunity to answer spontaneously.

4. DO NOT read rating scale anchors to the respondent. They are intended only for you, the interviewer, because

appropriate use requires clinical judgment and a thorough understanding of CAPS-CA-5 scoring conventions.

5. Move through the interview as efficiently as possible to minimize respondent burden. Some useful strategies:

a. Be thoroughly familiar with the CAPS-CA-5 so that prompts flow smoothly.

b. Ask the fewest number of prompts needed to obtain sufficient information to support a valid rating.

c. Minimize note-taking and write while the respondent is talking to avoid long pauses.

CAPS-CA-5 3

d. Take charge of the interview. Be respectful but firm in keeping the respondent on task, transitioning between

questions, pressing for examples, or pointing out contradictions.

Scoring

1. As with previous versions of the CAPS-CA, CAPS-CA-5 symptom severity ratings are based on symptom frequency

and intensity, except for items 8 (amnesia) and 12 (diminished interest), which are based on amount and intensity.

However, CAPS-CA-5 items are rated with a single severity score, in contrast to previous versions of the CAPS-CA

which required separate frequency and intensity scores for each item that were either summed to create a symptom

severity score or combined in various scoring rules to create a dichotomous (present/absent) symptom score. Thus,

on the CAPS-CA-5 the clinician combines information about frequency and intensity before making a single severity

rating. Depending on the item, frequency is rated as either the number of occurrences (how often in the past month)

or percent of time (how much of the time in the past month). Intensity is rated on a four-point ordinal scale with ratings

of Minimal, Clearly Present, Pronounced, and Extreme. Intensity and severity are related but distinct. Intensity refers

to the strength of a typical occurrence of a symptom. Severity refers to the total symptom load over a given time

period, and is a combination of intensity and frequency. This is similar to the quantity/frequency assessment approach

to alcohol consumption. In general, intensity rating anchors correspond to severity scale anchors described below and

should be interpreted and used in the same way, except that severity ratings require joint consideration of intensity

and frequency. Thus, before taking frequency into account, an intensity rating of Minimal corresponds to a severity

rating of Mild / subthreshold, Clearly Present corresponds with Moderate / threshold, Pronounced corresponds with

Severe / markedly elevated, and Extreme corresponds with Extreme / incapacitating.

2. The five-point CAPS-CA-5 symptom severity rating scale is used for all symptoms. Rating scale anchors should be

interpreted and used as follows:

0 Absent The respondent denied the problem or the respondent’s report doesn’t fit the DSM-5 symptom criterion.

1 Mild / subthreshold The respondent described a problem that is consistent with the symptom criterion but isn’t

severe enough to be considered clinically significant. The problem doesn’t satisfy the DSM-5 symptom criterion

and thus doesn’t count toward a PTSD diagnosis.

2 Moderate / threshold The respondent described a clinically significant problem. The problem satisfies the DSM-

5 symptom criterion and thus counts toward a PTSD diagnosis. The problem would be a target for intervention.

This rating requires a minimum frequency of 2 X month or some of the time (20-30%) PLUS a minimum intensity

of Clearly Present.

3 Severe / markedly elevated The respondent described a problem that is well above threshold. The problem is

difficult to manage and at times overwhelming, and would be a prominent target for intervention. This rating

requires a minimum frequency of 2 X week or much of the time (50-60%) PLUS a minimum intensity of

Pronounced.

4 Extreme / incapacitating The respondent described a dramatic symptom, far above threshold. The problem is

pervasive, unmanageable, and overwhelming, and would be a high-priority target for intervention.

3. In general, make a given severity rating only if the minimum frequency and intensity for that rating are both met.

However, you may exercise clinical judgment in making a given severity rating if the reported frequency is somewhat

lower than required, but the intensity is higher. For example, you may make a severity rating of Moderate / threshold if

a symptom occurs 1 X month (instead of the required 2 X month) as long as intensity is rated Pronounced or Extreme

(instead of the required Clearly Present). Similarly, you may make a severity rating of Severe / markedly elevated if a

symptom occurs 1 X week (instead of the required 2 X week) as long as the intensity is rated Extreme (instead of the

required Pronounced). If you are unable to decide between two severity ratings, make the lower rating.

CAPS-CA-5 4

4. You need to establish that a symptom not only meets the DSM-5 criterion phenomenologically, but is also functionally

related to the index traumatic event, i.e., started or got worse as a result of the event. CAPS-CA-5 items 1-8 and 10

(reexperiencing, effortful avoidance, amnesia, and blame) are inherently linked to the event. Evaluate the remaining

items for trauma-relatedness (TR) using the TR inquiry and rating scale. The three TR ratings are:

a. Definite = the symptom can clearly be attributed to the index trauma, because (1) there is an obvious change

from the pre-trauma level of functioning and/or (2) the respondent makes the attribution to the index trauma with

confidence.

b. Probable = the symptom is likely related to the index trauma, but an unequivocal connection can’t be made.

Situations in which this rating would be given include the following: (1) there seems to be a change from the pre-

trauma level of functioning, but it isn’t as clear and explicit as it would be for a “definite;” (2) the respondent

attributes a causal link between the symptom and the index trauma, but with less confidence than for a rating of

Definite; (3) there appears to be a functional relationship between the symptom and inherently trauma-linked

symptoms such as reexperiencing symptoms (e.g., numbing or withdrawal increases when reexperiencing

increases).

c. Unlikely = the symptom can be attributed to a cause other than the index trauma because (1) there is an obvious

functional link with this other cause and/or (2) the respondent makes a confident attribution to this other cause

and denies a link to the index trauma. Because it can be difficult to rule out a functional link between a symptom

and the index trauma, a rating of Unlikely should be used only when the available evidence strongly points to a

cause other than the index trauma. NOTE: Symptoms with a TR rating of Unlikely should not be counted toward a

PTSD diagnosis or included in the total CAPS-CA-5 symptom severity score.

5. CAPS-CA-5 total symptom severity score is calculated by summing severity scores for items 1-20. NOTE: Severity

scores for the two dissociation items (29 and 30) should NOT be included in the calculation of the total CAPS-CA-5

severity score.

6. CAPS-CA-5 symptom cluster severity scores are calculated by summing the individual item severity scores for

symptoms contained in a given DSM-5 cluster. Thus, the Criterion B (reexperiencing) severity score is the sum of the

individual severity scores for items 1-5; the Criterion C (avoidance) severity score is the sum of items 6 and 7; the

Criterion D (negative alterations in cognitions and mood) severity score is the sum of items 8-14; and the Criterion E

(hyperarousal) severity score is the sum of items 15-20. A symptom cluster score may also be calculated for

dissociation by summing items 29 and 30.

7. PTSD diagnostic status is determined by first dichotomizing individual symptoms as “present” or “absent,” then

following the DSM-5 diagnostic rule. A symptom is considered present only if the corresponding item severity score is

rated 2=Moderate/threshold or higher. Items 9 and 11-20 have the additional requirement of a trauma-relatedness

rating of Definite or Probable. Otherwise a symptom is considered absent. The DSM-5 diagnostic rule requires the

presence of least one Criterion B symptom, one Criterion C symptom, two Criterion D symptoms, and two Criterion E

symptoms. In addition, Criteria F and G must be met. Criterion F requires that the disturbance has lasted at least one

month. Criterion G requires that the disturbance cause either clinically significant distress or functional impairment, as

indicated by a rating of 2=moderate or higher on items 23-25.

8. Use the Frequency Rating Sheet (Appendix A) to help the child answer HOW MANY DAYS the reaction has

happened in the past MONTH. Hand the Frequency Rating Sheet to child and point to the calendar as you explain the

rating choices as follows: ‘0’ means that in the past month, you have not had the reaction at all, not even on one day.

‘1’ means that you have had the reaction around 1 to 3 days in the past month. ‘2’ means that you have had the

reaction around 2 to 3 days a week in the past month. ‘3’ means that you have had the reaction around 3 to 4 days a

week over the past month. And ‘4’ means that you have had the reaction almost every day over the past month.

CAPS-CA-5 5

Interviewer: Note that a score of ‘0’ corresponds to a score of “Absent”; a score of ‘1’ corresponds to 5-10% of the

time; a score of ‘2’ corresponds to 20-30% of the time; a score of ‘3’ corresponds to approximately 50% of the time;

and a score of ‘4’ corresponds to a rating of “Pervasive.”

Practice trial questions using the calendar as follows: “Let’s do some practice questions to make sure that you

understand how to use the calendar. If I asked, ‘How many days in the past month have you had a headache,’ which

calendar tells how many days in the past month you have had a headache? What about, ‘How many days in the past

month have you watched television?’ Point to the calendar that tells how many days in the past month you have

watched television. How about if I asked, ‘How many days in the past month have you done homework? Point to the

calendar that tells how many days in the past month you have done homework.” Continue with these types of

questions until you are confident that the child can use the calendar to rate how many days the reaction has

happened in the past month. With school aged children, it is helpful to work with the child to identify a day 30 days

prior to the interview to serve as a temporal reference, (e.g., since your brother’s birthday, since school began, etc).

Use the Intensity Rating Sheet (Appendix B) to help the child answer HOW MUCH the problem has bothered him/her

over the past MONTH. The choices are: ‘Absent,’ ‘Mild,’ ‘Moderate,’ ‘Severe,’ and ‘Extreme.’ A rating of ‘Absent’

means that the child denied the problem or that the report doesn’t fit the DSM-5 symptom criterion. A rating of “Mild’

means that the child described the problem, but the problem is not severe enough to be clinically significant. A rating

of ‘Moderate’ means that the child described a clinically significant problem. A rating of ‘Severe’ means that the child

described a problem that is well above threshold. A rating of ‘Extreme’ means that the child described a dramatic

symptom far above threshold. See Section 2 above for instructions on the interpretation of symptom severity score

using both frequency and intensity ratings.

Hand the Intensity Rating Sheet to child and point to the glasses as you explain the rating choices for how much the

child is bothered by the problem as follows: The first glass (marked ‘Not at all’) that is empty, means that the problem

doesn’t bother you at all. The second glass (marked ‘Mild’), that has just a little bit in it, means that the problem

bothers you only a little bit. The third glass (marked ‘Moderate’), that is almost half full, means that the problem

bothers you quite a bit. The fourth glass (marked ‘Severe’), that is much more than half full, means that the problem

bothers you a lot and it is hard to know how to handle it . And the fifth glass (marked ‘Extreme’) that is totally full

means that the problem is so bad that it couldn’t be worse.

CAPS-CA-5 6

Criterion A: Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the

following ways:

1. Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s).
2. Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others.
3. Learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend. In cases of actual or

threatened death of a family member or friend, the event(s) must have been violent or accidental.
4. Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s) (e.g., first

responders collecting human remains; police officers repeatedly exposed to details of child abuse). Note:
Criterion A4 does not apply to exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or pictures, unless
this exposure is work related.

[Administer Life Events Checklist – Child Version for DSM-IV or other structured trauma screen.]

I’m going to ask you about the stressful experiences questionnaire you filled out. First I’ll ask you to tell me a

little bit about the event you said was the worst for you. Then I’ll ask how that event may have affected you over

the past month. In general I don’t need a lot of information – just enough so I can understand any problems you

may have had. Please let me know if you find yourself becoming upset as we go through the questions so we can

slow down and talk about it. Also, let me know if you have any questions or don’t understand something. Do you

have any questions before we start?

The event you said was the worst was (EVENT). What I’d like for you to do is briefly describe what happened.

Index event (specify):

What happened? (How old were you? How were you involved?

Who else was involved? Was anyone seriously injured or killed?

Was anyone’s life in danger? How many times did this happen?)

Exposure type:

Experienced ___

Witnessed ___

Learned about ___

Exposed to aversive details___

Life threat? NO YES [self ___ other ___]

Serious injury? NO YES [self ___ other ___]

Sexual violence? NO YES [self ___ other ___]

Criterion A met? NO PROBABLE YES

For the rest of the interview, I want you to keep (EVENT) in mind as I ask you about different problems it may

have caused you. You may have had some of these problems before, but for this interview we’re going to focus

just on the past month. For each problem I’ll ask if you’ve had it in the past month, and if so, how often and how

much it bothered you.

CAPS-CA-5 7

Criterion B: Presence of one or more of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s),

beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred:

1. (B1) Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s). Note: In children older than 6

years, repetitive play may occur in which themes or aspects of the traumatic event(s) are expressed.

In the past month, have you had upsetting thoughts, pictures or sounds of what

happened come into your mind when you didn’t want them to? Did this happen while

you were awake, so not counting dreams? [Rate 0=Absent if only during dreams]

How did these upsetting thoughts, pictures or sounds of what happened come into

your mind?

[If not clear:] Do these unwanted thoughts, pictures or sounds just pop into your head,

or do you think about what happened on purpose?

[Rate 0=Absent unless perceived as involuntary and intrusive]

How much do these thoughts, pictures or sounds bother you?

Are you able to put these thoughts, pictures or sounds out of your mind and think

about something else?

Circle: Distress = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How often have you had these thoughts, pictures or sounds come into your mind in

the past month? # of times __________

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of distress
Moderate = at least 2 X month / distress clearly present, some difficulty dismissing memories
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced distress, considerable difficulty dismissing memories

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

2. (B2) Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related to the event(s). Note: In

children, there may be frightening dreams without recognizable content.

In the past month, have you had any bad dreams about the bad thing that happened or

other bad dreams?

Describe one of these dreams for me. (What happens?)

[If not clear:] (Do these bad dreams wake you up?)

[If yes:] (How do you feel when you wake up? How long does it take you to get back to

sleep?)

How much do these bad dreams bother you?

Circle: Distress = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How often have you had these bad dreams in the past month? # of times __________

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of distress
Moderate = at least 2 X month / distress clearly present, less than 1 hour sleep loss
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced distress, more than 1 hour sleep loss

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 8

3. (B3) Dissociative reactions (e.g., flashbacks) in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event(s) were

recurring. (Such reactions may occur on a continuum, with the most extreme expression being a complete loss of

awareness of present surroundings.) Note: In children, trauma-specific reenactment may occur in play.

In the past month, have there been times when you suddenly feel like you are back at

the time when the bad thing happened, like it’s happening all over again?

[If not clear:] (This is different than thinking about it or dreaming about it – now I’m

asking about feeling like you’re actually back at the time of the bad thing happening,

actually going through it again.)

How much does it seem as if the bad thing was happening again? (Are you confused

about where you actually are?)

What do you do when it feels like the bad thing is happening again? (Do other people

notice how you are acting? What do they say?)

How long does the feeling that the bad thing is happening all over again last?

Circle: Dissociation = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How often has this feeling happened in the past month? # of times __________

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of dissociation
Moderate = at least 2 X month / dissociative quality clearly present, may retain some awareness of surroundings but
relives event in a manner clearly distinct from thoughts and memories
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced dissociative quality, reports vivid reliving, e.g., with images, sounds, smells

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

4. (B4) Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an

aspect of the traumatic event(s).

In the past month, did you get very upset, afraid, or sad when something reminded

you of the bad thing that happened?

What kinds of things reminded you of the bad thing that happened?

How much do these reminders bother you?

Are you able to calm yourself down when this happens? (How long does it take?)

Circle: Distress = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How often in the past month have you been reminded of the bad thing that happened?
# of times __________

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of distress
Moderate = at least 2 X month / distress clearly present, some difficulty recovering
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced distress, considerable difficulty recovering

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 9

5. (B5) Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic

event(s).

In the past month, have you had strong feelings in your body when something

reminded you of the bad thing that happened, like your heart beats fast, your head

aches or your stomach aches?

Can you give me some examples of these strong feelings in your body? (Does your

heart race or your breathing change? What about sweating or feeling really nervous or

shaky?)

What kinds of reminders (things that remind you of the bad thing that happened) make

you have strong feelings in your body?

How long does it take you to feel better?

Circle: Physiological reactivity = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How often has this happened in the past month? # of times __________

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of physiological arousal
Moderate = at least 2 X month / reactivity clearly present, some difficulty recovering
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced reactivity, sustained arousal, considerable difficulty recovering

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

Criterion C: Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic

event(s) occurred, as evidenced by one or both of the following:

6. (C1) Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the

traumatic event(s).

In the past month, have you tried not to think about or have feelings about the bad

thing that happened?

What kinds of thoughts or feelings do you try to stay away from or avoid?

How hard do you try to avoid these thoughts or feelings? (What kinds of things do you

do?)

Circle: Avoidance = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How often has this happened in the past month? # of times __________

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of avoidance
Moderate = at least 2 X month / avoidance clearly present
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced avoidance

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 10

7. (C2) Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations)

that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).

In the past month, have you tried to stay away from people, places, or things that

remind you of the bad thing that happened?

What kinds of things do you try to stay away from or avoid?

How hard do you try to stay away from or avoid these people, places or things? (Do

you have to make a plan or change your activities to avoid them?)

[If not clear:] (Overall, how much of a problem is this for you? How would things be

different if you didn’t have to avoid these reminders?)

Circle: Avoidance = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How often have you tried to stay away from or avoid people, places or things in the

past month?
# of times __________

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of avoidance
Moderate = at least 2 X month / avoidance clearly present
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced avoidance

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

Criterion D: Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or
worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:

8. (D1) Inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event(s) (typically due to dissociative amnesia and not

to other factors such as head injury, alcohol, or drugs).

In the past month, have you had trouble remembering important parts of the bad thing

that happened? (Do you feel there are gaps in your memory of [EVENT]?)

What parts have you had trouble remembering?

Do you feel like you should be able to remember these things and just can’t?

[If not clear:] Prompts for younger children: Did you hurt your head when the bad thing

happened? Did things seem really blurry or fuzzy at the time? Prompts for older

children/adolescents: Why do you think you can’t remember? Did you hurt your head

when the bad thing happened? Did things seem blurry or fuzzy at the time? Were you

knocked out? Were you intoxicated from alcohol or drugs?

[Rate 0=Absent if due to head injury or loss of consciousness or intoxication during event]

[If still not clear:] (Is this just normal forgetting? Or do you think you may have blocked it

out because it would be too painful to remember?) [Rate 0=Absent if due only to normal forgetting]

Circle: Difficulty remembering = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

In the past month, how many of the important parts of what happened have you had

trouble remembering? (What parts do you still remember?)
# of important aspects __________

Would you be able to remember these things if you tried?

Key rating dimensions = amount of event not recalled / intensity of inability to recall
Moderate = at least one important aspect / difficulty remembering clearly present, some recall possible with effort
Severe = several important aspects / pronounced difficulty remembering, little recall even with effort

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 11

9. (D2) Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world (e.g., “I am bad,”
“No one can be trusted,” “The world is completely dangerous,” “My whole nervous system is permanently ruined”).

In the past month, have you had bad thoughts about yourself, like “I am bad”?

In the past month, have you had bad thoughts about the world, like “The world is

really dangerous”?

In the past month, have you had bad thoughts about other people, like “I will never be

able to trust other people”?

Can you give me some examples?

How strong are these beliefs? (How sure are you that these beliefs are actually true? Can

you see other ways of thinking about it?)

Circle: Conviction = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How much of the time in the past month have you had these kinds of beliefs?

% of time __________

Did these beliefs start or get worse after the bad thing happened? (Do you think they are

related to what happened? How so?) Circle: Trauma-relatedness = Definite Probable Unlikely

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of beliefs
Moderate = some of the time (20-30%) / exaggerated negative expectations clearly present, some difficulty
considering more realistic beliefs
Severe = much of the time (50-60%) / pronounced exaggerated negative expectations, considerable difficulty
considering more realistic beliefs

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

10. (D3) Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s) that lead the

individual to blame himself/herself or others.

In the past month, have you felt that part or even all of what happened was your fault?
Tell me more about that. (In what sense do you see yourself as having caused the bad
thing to happen? Is it because of something you did? Or something you think you should
have done but didn’t?

What about being angry with someone or something for making the bad thing happen,
not doing more to stop it, or to help after? Tell me more about that. (In what sense do
you see other people as having caused the bad thing to happen? Is it because of something
they did? Or something you think they should have done but didn’t?)

How much do you blame yourself?

How much do you blame others?

How much do you believe that you or other people are really responsible for what
happened? (Do other people agree with you? Can you see other ways of thinking about it?)

[Rate 0=Absent if only blames perpetrator, i.e., someone who deliberately caused the event and intended harm]

Circle: Conviction = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How much of the time in the past month have you felt that way? % of time __________

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of blame
Moderate = some of the time (20-30%) / distorted blame clearly present, some difficulty considering more realistic
beliefs
Severe = much of the time (50-60%) / pronounced distorted blame, considerable difficulty considering more realistic
beliefs

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 12

11. (D4) Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame) associated with the traumatic event.

In the past month, have you felt that what happened was sickening or gross?

In the past month, have you felt ashamed or embarrassed over what happened?

In the past month, have you felt guilty about what happened?

In the past month, have you felt very afraid or scared?

In the past month, have you wanted to get back at someone for what happened or get
revenge?

Can you give me some examples of having these feelings? (What negative feelings do

you experience?)

How strong are these upsetting feelings?

How well are you able to handle or cope with these feelings?

Circle: Negative emotions = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How much of the time in the past month have you had these upsetting feelings?
% of time __________

Did these upsetting feelings start or get worse after the bad thing that happened? (Do

you think they’re related to [EVENT]? How so?) Circle: Trauma-relatedness = Definite Probable
Unlikely

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of negative emotions
Moderate = some of the time (20-30%) / negative emotions clearly present, some difficulty managing
Severe = much of the time (50-60%) / pronounced negative emotions, considerable difficulty managing

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

12. (D5) Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities.

In the past month, have you not felt like doing things with your family, friends or other

things that you liked to do?

What kinds of things have you lost interest in or don’t want to do as much as you used

to? (Anything else?)

Why is that? [Rate 0=Absent if diminished participation is due to lack of opportunity, physical inability, or
developmentally appropriate change in preferred activities]

How strongly do you not want to do those things anymore? (How much interest have

you lost? Would you still enjoy [ACTIVITIES] once you got started?)

Circle: Loss of interest= Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

Overall, in the past month, how many of your usual activities have you been less

interested in?
% of activities __________

What kinds of things do you still enjoy doing?

Did this loss of interest start or get worse after the bad thing happened? (Do you think

it’s related to [EVENT]? How so?) Circle: Trauma-relatedness = Definite Probable Unlikely

Key rating dimensions = percent of activities affected / intensity of loss of interest
Moderate = some activities (20-30%) / loss of interest clearly present but still has some enjoyment of activities
Severe = many activities (50-60%) / pronounced loss of interest, little interest or participation in activities

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 13

13. (D6) Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others.

In the past month, have you felt alone even when you are around other people?

Tell me more about that.

How strong are your feelings of being alone or distant from others? (Who do you feel

closest to? How many people do you feel comfortable talking with about personal things?)

Circle: Detachment or estrangement = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How much of the time in the past month have you felt that way? % of time __________

Did this feeling of being alone or distant from others start or get worse after what

happened? (Do you think it’s related to what happened? How so?) Circle: Trauma-relatedness =
Definite Probable Unlikely

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of detachment or estrangement
Moderate = some of the time (20-30%) / feelings of detachment clearly present but still feels some interpersonal
connection
Severe = much of the time (50-60%) / pronounced feelings of detachment or estrangement from most people, may
feel close to only one or two people

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

14. (D7) Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g., inability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or loving

feelings).

In the past month, have there been times when you had trouble feeling happiness, love

or other good feelings?

Tell me more about that. (What feelings are hard (difficult) to experience?)

How hard is it for you to have happy, positive feelings? (Are you still able to experience

any positive feelings?)

Circle: Reduction of positive emotions = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How much of the time in the past month has it been hard to have positive feelings?
% of time __________

Did this trouble having positive feelings start or get worse after the bad thing

happened? (Do you think it’s related to the bad thing that happened? How so?) Circle:
Trauma-relatedness = Definite Probable Unlikely

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of reduction in positive emotions
Moderate = some of the time (20-30%) / reduction of positive emotional experience clearly present but still able to
experience some positive emotions
Severe = much of the time (50-60%) / pronounced reduction of experience across range of positive emotions

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 14

Criterion E: Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or
worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:

15. (E1) Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no provocation) typically expressed as verbal or physical

aggression toward people or objects.

In the past month, have there been times when you were quick to show your anger or

got into arguments or physical fights?

Can you give me some examples? (How do you show it? Do you raise your voice or yell?

Throw or hit things? Push or hit other people?)

Circle: Aggression = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How often in the past month? # of times __________

Did this behavior start or get worse after (EVENT)? (Do you think it’s related to what

happened? How so?) Circle: Trauma-relatedness = Definite Probable Unlikely

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of aggressive behavior
Moderate = at least 2 X month / aggression clearly present, primarily verbal
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced aggression, at least some physical aggression

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

16. (E2) Reckless or self-destructive behavior.

In the past month, have you hurt yourself on purpose?

In the past month, have you done risky or unsafe things that could really hurt you or

someone else?

Can you give me some examples?

How dangerous are doing these things? (Did you or someone else get hurt badly?)

Circle: Risk = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How often have you done these kinds of things in the past month? # of times __________

Did this behavior start or get worse after (EVENT)? (Do you think it’s related to [EVENT]?

How so?) Circle: Trauma-relatedness = Definite Probable Unlikely

Key rating dimensions = frequency / degree of risk
Moderate = at least 2 X month / risk clearly present, may have been harmed
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced risk, actual harm or high probability of harm

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 15

17. (E3) Hypervigilance.

In the past month, have you been on the lookout for danger or things that you are

afraid of (like looking over your shoulder even when nothing is there)? (Have you felt

as if you had to be on guard?)

Can you give me some examples? (What kinds of things do you do when you’re looking

out for danger?)

[If not clear:] (What makes you feel this way? Do you feel like you’re in danger or that

someone might hurt you in some way? Do you feel that way more than most people

would in the same situation?)

Circle: Hypervigilance = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How much of the time in the past month have you felt that way? % of time __________

Did being on the lookout for danger start or get worse after what happened? (Do you

think it’s related to the bad thing that happened? How so?) Circle: Trauma-relatedness = Definite
Probable Unlikely

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of hypervigilance
Moderate = some of the time (20-30%) / hypervigilance clearly present, e.g., watchful in public, heightened
awareness of threat
Severe = much of the time (50-60%) / pronounced hypervigilance, e.g., scans environment for danger, may have
safety rituals, exaggerated concern for safety of self/family/home

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

18. (E4) Exaggerated startle response.

In the past month, have you felt jumpy or startled easily, like when you hear a loud

noise or when something surprises you?

What kinds of things made you jumpy or startle?

How strong are these jumpy feelings or startle reactions? (How strong are they

compared to how most people would respond? Do you do anything other people would

notice?)

How long does it take you to calm down?

Circle: Startle = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How often has this happened in the past month? # of times __________

Did these startle reactions start or get worse after what happened? (Do you think

they’re related to [EVENT]? How so?) Circle: Trauma-relatedness = Definite Probable Unlikely

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of startle
Moderate = at least 2 X month / startle clearly present, some difficulty recovering
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced startle, sustained arousal, considerable difficulty recovering

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 16

19. (E5) Problems with concentration.

In the past month, have you had any trouble concentrating or paying attention?

Can you give me some examples?

Are you able to concentrate if you really try?

How strong are your problems with concentrating or paying attention?

Circle: Problem concentrating = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How much of the time in the past month have you had problems with concentration?

% of time __________

Did these problems with concentration start or get worse after what happened? (Do

you think they’re related to what happened? How so?) Circle: Trauma-relatedness = Definite
Probable Unlikely

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of concentration problems
Moderate = some of the time (20-30%) / problem concentrating clearly present, some difficulty but can concentrate
with effort
Severe = much of the time (50-60%) / pronounced problem concentrating, considerable difficulty even with effort

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

20. (E6) Sleep disturbance (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless sleep).

In the past month, have you had any trouble with going to sleep, waking up often or

getting back to sleep?

What kinds of problems? (How long does it take you to fall asleep? How often do you

wake up in the night? Do you wake up earlier than you want to?)

How many hours do you sleep each night?

How many hours do you think you should be sleeping?

Circle: Problem sleeping = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

How often in the past month have you had these problems with sleeping?
# of times __________

Did these problems with sleeping start or get worse after what happened? (Do you

think they’re related to [EVENT]? How so?) Circle: Trauma-relatedness = Definite Probable Unlikely

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of sleep problems
Moderate = at least 2 X month / sleep disturbance clearly present, clearly longer latency or clear difficulty staying
asleep, 30-90 minutes loss of sleep
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced sleep disturbance, considerably longer latency or marked difficulty staying
asleep, 90 min to 3 hrs loss of sleep

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 17

Criterion F: Duration of the disturbance (Criteria B, C, D, and E) is more than 1 month.

21. Onset of symptoms

[If not clear:] When did you first start having some of the problems that you

have told me about? (How long after what happened did they start? More

than six months?)

Total # months delay in onset __________

With delayed onset (> 6 months)? NO YES

22. Duration of symptoms

[If not clear:] How long have these problems lasted altogether? Total # months duration __________

Duration more than 1 month? NO YES

Criterion G: The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other

important areas of functioning.

23. Subjective distress

Overall, in the past month, how much have you been

bothered by these problems that you have told me about?
[Consider distress reported on earlier items]

0 None

1 Mild, minimal distress

2 Moderate, distress clearly present but still manageable

3 Severe, considerable distress

4 Extreme, incapacitating distress

24. Impairment in social functioning in school, with peers, with family, with work, or other important areas of functioning

In the past month, have these problems affected your

relationships (or made it hard for you to get along) with other

people like family or friends? How so? [Consider impairment in
social functioning reported on earlier items]

[If not clear:] Are you in school now?

[If yes:] In the past month, have these problems affected your

schoolwork? How so? [Assess pre-trauma school performance and
possible presence of behavior problems]

[If no:] Have these problems affected any other important parts

of your life? [As appropriate, suggest examples such as parenting,

housework, schoolwork, volunteer work, etc.] How so?

0 No adverse impact

1 Mild impact, minimal impairment in social functioning

2 Moderate impact, definite impairment but many

aspects of social functioning still intact

3 Severe impact, marked impairment, few aspects of

social functioning still intact

4 Extreme impact, little or no social functioning

25. Impairment in development

Do these reactions make it harder for you to do activities that other

kids your age are doing?

0 No adverse impact

1 Mild impact, minimal impairment in occupational/other

important functioning

2 Moderate impact, definite impairment but many

aspects of occupational/other important functioning

still intact

3 Severe impact, marked impairment, few aspects of

occupational/other important functioning still intact

4 Extreme impact, little or no occupational/other

important functioning

CAPS-CA-5 18

Global Ratings

26. Global validity

Estimate the overall validity of responses. Consider factors such

as compliance with the interview, mental status (e.g., problems

with concentration, comprehension of items, dissociation), and

evidence of efforts to exaggerate or minimize symptoms.

0 Excellent, no reason to suspect invalid responses

1 Good, factors present that may adversely affect

validity

2 Fair, factors present that definitely reduce validity

3 Poor, substantially reduced validity

4 Invalid responses, severely impaired mental status or

possible deliberate “faking bad” or “faking good”

27. Global severity

Estimate the overall severity of PTSD symptoms. Consider

degree of subjective distress, degree of functional impairment,

observations of behaviors in interview, and judgment regarding

reporting style.

0 No clinically significant symptoms, no distress and no

functional impairment

1 Mild, minimal distress or functional impairment

2 Moderate, definite distress or functional impairment

but functions satisfactorily with effort

3 Severe, considerable distress or functional

impairment, limited functioning even with effort

4 Extreme, marked distress or marked impairment in two

or more major areas of functioning

28. Global improvement

Rate total overall improvement since the previous rating. Rate

the degree of change, whether or not, in your judgment, it is due

to treatment.

0 Asymptomatic

1 Considerable improvement

2 Moderate improvement

3 Slight improvement

4 No improvement

5 Insufficient information

CAPS-CA-5 19

Specify whether with dissociative symptoms: The individual’s symptoms meet the criteria for posttraumatic stress

disorder, and in addition, in response to the stressor, the individual experiences persistent or recurrent symptoms

of either of the following:

29. (1) Depersonalization: Persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached from, and as if one were an outside

observer of, one’s mental processes or body (e.g., feeling as though one were in a dream; feeling a sense of unreality of

self or body or of time moving slowly).

In the past month, have you felt like you were seeing yourself or what you were doing

from outside of your body (like watching yourself in a movie)?

In the past month, have you felt that you were not connected to your body, like not

really being there inside?

[If no:] (What about feeling as if something about you wasn’t real? Feeling as if time

was moving more slowly?)

Tell me more about that.

How strong is this feeling when it is happening? (Do you lose track of where you actually

are or what’s actually going on?)

What do you do while this is happening? (Do other people notice your behavior? What

do they say?)

How long does it last?

Circle: Dissociation = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

[If not clear:] (Was this due to the effects of alcohol or drugs? What about a medical

condition like seizures?) [Rate 0=Absent if due to the effects of a substance or another medical condition]

How often has this happened in the past month? # of times __________

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of dissociation
Moderate = at least 2 X month / dissociative quality clearly present but transient, retains some realistic sense of self
and awareness of environment
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced dissociative quality, marked sense of detachment and unreality

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 20

30. (2) Derealization: Persistent or recurrent experiences of unreality of surroundings (e.g., the world around the individual

is experienced as unreal, dreamlike, distant, or distorted).

In the past month, have you felt like things around you look strange, like you are in a
fog?

In the past month, have you felt like things around you were not real, like you were in a
dream?

[If no:] (Do things going on around seem distant or distorted?)

Tell me more about that.

How strong is this feeling when it is happening? (Do you lose track of where you actually

are or what’s actually going on?)

What do you do while this is happening? (Do other people notice your behavior? What

do they say?)

How long does it last?

Circle: Dissociation = Minimal Clearly Present Pronounced Extreme

[If not clear:] (Was this due to the effects of alcohol or drugs? What about a medical

condition like seizures?) [Rate 0=Absent if due to the effects of a substance or another medical condition]

How often has this happened in the past month? # of times __________

Key rating dimensions = frequency / intensity of dissociation
Moderate = at least 2 X month / dissociative quality clearly present but transient, retains some realistic sense of
environment
Severe = at least 2 X week / pronounced dissociative quality, marked sense of unreality

0 Absent

1 Mild / subthreshold

2 Moderate / threshold

3 Severe / markedly elevated

4 Extreme / incapacitating

CAPS-CA-5 21

CAPS-CA-5 SUMMARY SHEET

Name:________________ ID#:________ Interviewer:________________ Study:___________ Date:_______

A. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence

Criterion A met? 0 = NO 1 = YES

B. Intrusion symptoms (need 1 for diagnosis) Past Month

Sev Sx (Sev > 2 )?

(1) B1 – Intrusive memories 0 = NO 1 = YES

(2) B2 – Distressing dreams 0 = NO 1 = YES

(3) B3 – Dissociative reactions 0 = NO 1 = YES

(4) B4 – Cued psychological distress 0 = NO 1 = YES

(5) B5 – Cued physiological reactions 0 = NO 1 = YES

B subtotals B Sev = # B Sx =

C. Avoidance symptoms (need 1 for diagnosis) Past Month

Sev Sx (Sev > 2 )?

(6) C1 – Avoidance of memories, thoughts, feelings 0 = NO 1 = YES

(7) C2 – Avoidance of external reminders 0 = NO 1 = YES

C subtotals C Sev = # C Sx =

D. Cognitions and mood symptoms (need 2 for diagnosis) Past Month

Sev Sx (Sev > 2 )?

(8) D1 – Inability to recall important aspect of event 0 = NO 1 = YES

(9) D2 – Exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations 0 = NO 1 = YES

(10) D3 – Distorted cognitions leading to blame 0 = NO 1 = YES

(11) D4 – Persistent negative emotional state 0 = NO 1 = YES

(12) D5 – Diminished interest or participation in activities 0 = NO 1 = YES

(13) D6 – Detachment or estrangement from others 0 = NO 1 = YES

(14) D7 – Persistent inability to experience positive emotions 0 = NO 1 = YES

D subtotals D Sev = # D Sx =

E. Arousal and reactivity symptoms (need 2 for diagnosis) Past Month

Sev Sx (Sev > 2 )?

(15) E1 – Irritable behavior and angry outbursts 0 = NO 1 = YES

(16) E2 – Reckless or self-destructive behavior 0 = NO 1 = YES

(17) E3 – Hypervigilance 0 = NO 1 = YES

(18) E4 – Exaggerated startle response 0 = NO 1 = YES

(19) E5 – Problems with concentration 0 = NO 1 = YES

(20) E6 – Sleep disturbance 0 = NO 1 = YES

E subtotals E Sev = # E Sx =

CAPS-CA-5 22

PTSD totals Past Month

Total Sev Total # Sx

Sum of subtotals (B+C+D+E)

F. Duration of disturbance Current

(22) Duration of disturbance > 1 month? 0 = NO 1 = YES

G. Distress or impairment (need 1 for diagnosis) Past Month

Sev Cx (Sev > 2 )?

(23) Subjective distress 0 = NO 1 = YES

(24) Impairment in social functioning 0 = NO 1 = YES

(25) Impairment in occupational functioning 0 = NO 1 = YES

G subtotals G Sev = # G Cx =

Global ratings Past Month

(26) Global validity

(27) Global severity

(28) Global improvement

Dissociative symptoms (need 1 for subtype) Past Month

Sev Sx (Sev > 2 )?

(29) 1 — Depersonalization 0 = NO 1 = YES

(30) 2 – Derealization 0 = NO 1 = YES

Dissociative subtotals Diss Sev = # Diss Sx =

PTSD diagnosis Past Month

PTSD PRESENT – ALL CRITERIA (A-G) MET? 0 = NO 1 = YES

With dissociative symptoms 0 = NO 1 = YES

(21) With delayed onset (> 6 months) 0 = NO 1 = YES

APPENDIX A CAPS-CA-5 23

FREQUENCY RATING SHEET

HOW MANY DAYS DURING THE PAST MONTH

DID THE REACTION HAPPEN?

0

1

2

3

4

S M T W H F S S M T W H F S S M T W H F S S M T W H F S S M T W H F S

X X X X X X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X

ABSENT MILD MODERATE SEVERE EXTREME

Between One and
Three Days a Month

(5-10%)

Between Two and
Three Days Each Week

(20-30%)

Between Three and
Four Days Each Week

(50%)

Almost Every Day
(Pervasive)

APPENDIX B CAPS-CA-5 24

INTENSITY RATING SHEET

HOW MUCH HAS THE PROBLEM BOTHERED

YOU DURING THE PAST MONTH?

Directions: Below are five pictures of cups that show your different answer choices. Point to the cup that

shows how much the problem bothered you in the past month.

NOT AT ALL MILD MODERATE SEVERE EXTREME

(Subthreshold) (Threshold) (Markedly Elevated) (Incapacitating)

Steps in Completing the
CAPS-5

C. Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for
DSM-5 (CAPS-5)

 The CAPS is the gold standard in
PTSD assessment.

 The CAPS-5 is a 30-item structured
interview that can be used to:

 Make current (past month)
diagnosis of PTSD

 Make lifetime diagnosis of PTSD
 Assess PTSD symptoms over the

past week
 The full interview takes about 45-60

minutes to administer.
2

3

 In addition to assessing the 20 DSM-5 PTSD
symptoms, questions target:
 the onset and duration of symptoms,
 subjective distress,
 impact of symptoms on social and occupational

functioning,
 improvement in symptoms since a previous CAPS

administration,
 overall response validity,
 overall PTSD severity, and
 specifications for the dissociative subtype

(depersonalization and derealization).

 For each symptom, standardized
questions and probes are provided.

 Administration requires identification
of an index traumatic event to serve
as the basis for symptom inquiry.

 The Life Events Checklist for DSM-5
(LEC-5) is recommended in
addition to the Criterion A inquiry
included in the CAPS-5.

 The CAPS was designed to be
administered by clinicians and
clinical researchers who have a
working knowledge of PTSD, but
can also be administered by
appropriately trained
paraprofessionals.

4

1. CAPS Training
 To learn about giving a CAPS-5 assessment, there are

links for video training on the CAPS-5 website.
 Technical manuals are also available for the DSM-IV

versions of the CAPS and CAPS-CA can be found at
“Western Psychological Services” (WPS) website.

 Search their online list of available products for CAPS
(which includes the CAPS-CA).

 Interview booklets, interview guides, and a technical
manual are available for the CAPS and CAPS-CA.

 To obtain the CAPS-5, at the website, click on the link
at the bottom and complete the online form.

5

Important Links:
• CAPS-5 webpage:

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/
adult-int/caps.asp

• CAPS-5 training:
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/continuing_
ed/caps5_clinician_training.asp

• To obtain permission to get a copy of the scale:
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/
ncptsd-instrument-request-form.asp

2. Scoring

7

 Detailed scoring information is included with the CAPS-5 and
should be reviewed carefully before administering.

 The assessor combines information about frequency and
intensity of an item into a single severity rating, which
is calculated by summing severity scores for the 20 DSM-5
PTSD symptoms.

 Similarly, CAPS-5 symptom cluster severity scores are
calculated by summing the individual item severity scores for
symptoms corresponding to a given DSM-5 cluster: Criterion
B (items 1-5); Criterion C (items 6-7); Criterion D (items 8-
14); and, Criterion E (items 15-20).

 A symptom cluster score may also be calculated for
dissociation by summing items 19 and 20.

 To receive a PTSD diagnosis, the client must meet:
 At least one Criterion B symptom (Intrusion)
 At least one Criterion C symptom (Avoidance)
 At least two Criterion D symptoms (Negative Thinking/Feeling)
 At least two Criterion E symptoms (Arousal/Reactivity)
 Criterion F is met (disturbance has lasted One Month)
 Criterion G is met (disturbance causes either/both Clinically

Significant Distress or Functional Impairment)

8

3. Severity Rating

0. Absent: The respondent denied the
problem or the respondent’s report
doesn’t fit the DSM-5 symptom
criterion.

1. Mild / subthreshold: The
respondent described a problem
that is consistent with the symptom
criterion but isn’t severe enough to
be considered clinically significant.
The problem doesn’t satisfy the
DSM-5 symptom criterion and thus
doesn’t count toward a PTSD
diagnosis.

9

2. Moderate / threshold: The respondent described a clinically
significant problem. The problem satisfies the DSM-5 symptom
criterion and thus counts toward a PTSD diagnosis. The
problem would be a target for intervention. This rating requires
a minimum frequency of 2 x month or some of the time (20-
30%) PLUS a minimum intensity of Clearly Present.

3. Severe / markedly elevated: The respondent described a
problem that is above threshold. The problem is difficult to
manage and at times overwhelming, and would be a prominent
target for intervention. This rating requires a minimum
frequency of 2 x week or much of the time (50-60%) PLUS a
minimum intensity of Pronounced.

4. Extreme / incapacitating: The respondent described a dramatic
symptom, far above threshold. The problem is pervasive,
unmanageable, and overwhelming, and would be a high-priority
target for intervention.

10

Criteria for DSM-5 listed
Questions to help guide the

interview
A place to record the

“index” event
Comment box for client’s

responses (try to always
get client’s actual words)

Checklist for exposure type
Three choices of traumatic

event type
Is criteria A met? Yes?

No? Maybe so?
11

4. Let’s Look at
the parts:

Rest of the criteria/pages
are similar to this:

Criteria for DSM-5 listed
Questions to help guide the

interview (try to always
get client’s actual words)

Client’s severity rating
Circle the level of distress

they are having
Number of times in the

past month
Key explanations for rating

a client with moderate
and severe intensity/
distress

12

5. Criterion F, G, and
“Global Rating”

 Items 21 and 22 look at
Criterion F – making sure
the duration if the
disturbance is at least or
more than one month.

 Criterion G – does the
disturbance cause clinically
significant distress across:
 #23: Subjective areas
 #24: Social areas
 #25: Occupational/

Other areas

13

 Item 26 looks at the
validity of the client’s
responses; Are they
accurate? Are there
other factors involved
that decrease
accuracy?

 Item 27: based on
your opinion after
doing the CAPS-5,
rate the severity of
their PTSD symptoms.

 Item 28: has there
been any improvement
for the client over the
past month? 14

6. Depersonalization & Derealization
 The CAPS-5 looks for

possible Dissociative
symptoms that can
occur from trauma.

 “Depersonalization”
looks for clients who
feel like they are:
 “detached” from

themselves
 an outside observer
 like they are in a dream
 feeling as if things are

“unreal”
 time is moving slowly

15

 “Derealization”
looks for clients who
feel like the world
around them is
experienced as:
 unreal
 dream-like
 distant
 distorted
 feels like they are in

a “movie”

16

7. Summarizing
Scoring is very simple;

transfer items from each
page that matches the

correct item and section:
1. Is Criteria A met? (if

“No,” consider ASD or
Adjustment D/O)

2. The severity scores (0-4)
3. Total sum of severity
4. Is the severity above 2?

Circle 1 = Yes if so.
5. Total number of “Yeses”

17

 Add up “Total Severity” and
“Total Symptoms” from
Criterion B, C, D, E)

 Circle for Criteria F: “Has the
current duration of the
disturbance been a month or
longer?” (if “No,” consider
ASD or Adjustment D/O)

 Add and total up the severity
and symptoms for Criteria G.

 Place the numbers for the
three “Global Ratings.”

 Place and total the severity
and symptoms for any
“Dissociative Symptoms.”

 Make your Diagnostic
Impression based on the data.

18

19

Criteria Ratings Points

Introduction 5 to >4.0 pts

Advanced

A quality synopsis
of client is given.
Presenting
problem
discussed. Client
history
summarized.
Issues of concern
highlighted.

4 to >3.0 pts

Proficient

Good synopsis of
client is given.
Presenting
problem
discussed. Client
history
summarized.
Issues of concern
highlighted.

3 to >2.0 pts

Developing

An adequate
synopsis of
client is given.
Presenting
problem
somewhat
discussed. Client
history not done.
Issues of
concern barely
highlighted.

2 to >0.0 pts

Below
Expectations

An adequate
synopsis of client
is given.
Presenting
problem not
discussed. Client
history not done.
Issues of concern
not highlighted.

0 pts

Not
Present

5 pts

Brief Trauma
Question., Life
Stressors
Checklist, CA
PTSD-CA Scale

50 to >45.0 pts

Advanced

All components
scored correctly
based on the
narrative.
Excellent
summary of
assessments
provided. Total
scores shown
where required.
Copy of each
assessment
uploaded when
required.

45 to >41.0 pts

Proficient

All components
scored correctly
based on the
narrative. Good
summary of
assessments
provided. Total
scores shown
where required.
Copy of each
assessment
uploaded when
required.

41 to >37.0 pts

Developing

All components
scored mostly
correct based on
the narrative.
Adequate
summary of
assessments
provided. Total
scores shown
where required.
Most copies of
assessments
uploaded when
required.

37 to >0.0 pts

Below
Expectations

Components not
scored correctly
based on the
narrative.
Adequate
summary of
assessments
provided. Total
scores not shown
where required.
Copies of
assessments not
uploaded when
required.

0 pts

Not
Present

50 pts

Diagnostic
Impressions

14 to >12.0 pts

Advanced

Primary
diagnosis, issues,
risks shown.
Secondary
diagnosis, issues,
risks shown.

12 to >10.0 pts

Proficient

Primary diagnosis,
issues, risks
shown. Secondary
diagnosis, issues,
risks mostly
shown.

10 to >8.0 pts

Developing

Primary
diagnosis,
issues, risks
shown.
Secondary
diagnosis,
issues, risks not
shown.

8 to >0.0 pts

Below
Expectations

Incorrect primary
diagnosis, issues,
risks shown.
Incorrect
secondary
diagnosis, issues,
risks shown.

0 pts

Not
Present

14 pts

Trauma Case Study: Child Grading Rubric | TRMA830_D02_202230

Criteria Ratings Points

Recommendations 15 to >13.0 pts

Advanced

Minimum of three
recommendation
shown,
Competent
reasons shown,
Resources cited
in current APA for
each.

13 to >11.0 pts

Proficient

Minimum of three
recommendation
shown, General
reasons shown,
Resources cited in
current APA for
each.

11 to >10.0 pts

Developing

Two
recommendation
shown, General
reasons shown,
Resources cited
in current APA
for most.

10 to >0.0 pts

Below
Expectations

One to two
recommendation
shown, General
reasons barely or
not shown,
Resources cited
in current APA for
some or none.

0 pts

Not
Present

15 pts

Organization 11 to >9.0 pts

Advanced

All required
elements are
included and
presented with
strong headings
and
organizational
clarity. There are
clear transitions
between
paragraphs and
sections. The
treatment of the
topic is logically
oriented. The
paper meets the
page length
requirement.

9 to >8.0 pts

Proficient

All required
elements are
included and
organized. There
are transitions
between
paragraphs and
sections. The
treatment of the
topic is logically
oriented. The
paper meets the
page length
requirement or
comes very close.

8 to >7.0 pts

Developing

Most required
elements are
included and are
mostly
organized. Most
paragraphs and
sections have
transitions. The
logical treatment
of the topic
needs
improvement.
The paper may
not meet the
page length
requirement.

7 to >0.0 pts

Below
Expectations

Most required
elements are
included and are
mostly organized.
Most paragraphs
and sections have
transitions. The
logical treatment
of the topic needs
improvement. The
paper may not
meet the page
length
requirement.

0 pts

Not
Present

11 pts

Trauma Case Study: Child Grading Rubric | TRMA830_D02_202230

Criteria Ratings Points

Style 15 to >13.0 pts

Advanced

The paper
properly uses
current APA style.
Proper headings,
in-text citations,
and references
are formatted
correctly. The
paper reflects a
graduate level
voice and
vocabulary. There
are very few
spelling and
grammar errors.

13 to >11.0 pts

Proficient

The paper
consistently uses
current APA style
with few or no
exceptions. Proper
headings, in-text
citations, and
references are
formatted with few
or no errors. The
paper reflects a
graduate level
voice and
vocabulary. There
are few spelling
and grammar
errors.

11 to >10.0 pts

Developing

The paper
inconsistently
uses current
APA style.
Headings, in-text
citations, and
references are
inconsistently
formatted. The
paper does not
consistently
reflect a
graduate level
voice and
vocabulary.
There are
spelling and
grammar errors.

10 to >0.0 pts

Below
Expectations

The paper
erroneously uses
or does not use
current APA style.
Headings, in-text
citations, and
references are
erroneously
formatted or not
present. The
paper does not
reflect a graduate
level voice and
vocabulary. There
are spelling and
grammar errors.

0 pts

No
Marks

15 pts

Sources 10 to >9.0 pts

Advanced

The Reference
page meets or
exceeds the
required number
of sources. All
sources are
referenced
throughout the
paper.

9 to >7.0 pts

Proficient

The Reference
page meets the
required number
of sources. Most
sources are
referenced
throughout the
paper.

7 to >6.0 pts

Developing

The Reference
page does not
meet the
required number
of sources. Not
all sources are
referenced
throughout the
paper.

6 to >0.0 pts

Below
Expectations

The Reference
page is not
present or
contains few
sources. Not
enough sources
are referenced
throughout the
paper, or none
are referenced.

0 pts

No
Marks

10 pts

Total Points: 120

Trauma Case Study: Child Grading Rubric | TRMA830_D02_202230