A man looking out a window.



Cluster severity scores:

  1. Criterion B severity is calculated by summing items 1-5,
  2. Criterion C severity is calculated by summing items 6 and 7,
  3. Criterion D severity is calculated by summing items 8-14, and
  4. Criterion E severity is calculated by summing items 15-20.

Criteria met if 2 or higher for given symptom

Criteria met for symptom if given a severity rating of 2 or higher on:

  • 1 Cluster B item
  • 1 Cluster C item
  • 2 Cluster D items
  • 2 Cluster E items

right arrow pointing to Receive PTSD Diagnosis

Receive PTSD Diagnosis

Note:  It’s possible for someone to meet all Dx criteria, yet have a total severity score (Sum of B-E) of only 12.

A severity score is often applied, in addition to the algorithm, to ensure that the person has at least moderately severe PTSD.

The delayed onset subtype reflects when a person’s symptoms began in relation to the traumatic event (item 21).

These individuals:

  • Meet criteria for PTSD
  • Indicate PTSD symptoms did not start until at least 6 months after trauma exposure

Two dissociative items reflect the PTSD dissociative subtype

  • If the person meets critieria for either symptom and PTSD is met, the subtype is met