The ability of the CAPS-5 to assess symptoms experienced during different time intervals makes it ideal for both establishing a diagnosis of PTSD and assessing change in response to an intervention. There are three versions of the CAPS-5 corresponding to different time periods. Select each item to learn more:
Assesses PTSD symptoms which have occurred in the past week. This version is best used for determining whether PTSD symptoms have changed over time (e.g., in a treatment study in which you are interested in comparing a participant's PTSD symptoms at baseline versus mid-treatment).
Return to list
Assesses PTSD symptoms which have occurred in the last month. This version is ideal for establishing a current PTSD diagnosis.
Return to list
Past Month/Worst Month Version
Can be used to assess the severity of PTSD symptoms for any 30-day period over the course of the participant's lifetime during which his/her symptoms were the worst. This version is best used for establishing a lifetime PTSD diagnosis.
Return to list
Determining the Time Frame for Symptom Occurrence
The CAPS-5 requires you to assess PTSD symptoms during either a one-month (past or worst) or a one-week time frame, depending upon which version of the CAPS-5 being used. The purpose of the assessment will dictate which version to use.
Return to list
