Trauma and loss
Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI)
A 33-item scale on negative thoughts about yourself, the world and other people, and on self-blame after a traumatic event.
NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital
Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI)
- 33 questions
- About 7 minutes
- For adults
These tests are for screening. A result is not a diagnosis: only a psychiatrist or psychologist can make one, after talking with you.
Your answers are scored on this device and never sent. Only your result is saved, with the email address you confirm.
Confirm your email address
Before the test we send a 6-digit code to your email address. Your result is saved with it, so that our team can help you if you wish. The email with the code contains no health information.
Below are thoughts that people may have after a traumatic event. Thinking of the event you went through, mark how far you agree with each statement; there are no right or wrong answers.
Choosing an answer takes you to the next question. You can go back at any time.
Your result
Total: below the PTSD reference value
Your total score is below the typical score (133) of people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the study in which the scale was developed; people without PTSD typically scored about 45-50. If thoughts about the event still trouble you, talking to a specialist can help.
Total: at or above the PTSD reference value
Your total score is at or above the typical score (133) of people with PTSD in the study in which the scale was developed, which means the negative thoughts about the event are strong. Thoughts like these can change with treatment; we recommend seeing a psychiatrist or a psychologist experienced in trauma.
Total score
out of 231
Thoughts about yourself: below the reference value
Your negative thoughts about yourself (such as feeling inadequate, changed for good or hopeless) are below the typical level of people with PTSD.
Thoughts about yourself: at or above the reference value
Your negative thoughts about yourself (such as feeling inadequate, changed for good or hopeless) are at or above the typical level of people with PTSD. These thoughts are worked on directly in trauma-focused treatments.
Negative thoughts about yourself
out of 147
Thoughts about the world and others: below the reference value
Your thoughts that the world is dangerous and that people cannot be trusted are below the typical level of people with PTSD.
Thoughts about the world and others: at or above the reference value
Your thoughts that the world is dangerous and that people cannot be trusted are at or above the typical level of people with PTSD. Feeling constantly on guard is common after trauma and can ease with treatment.
Negative thoughts about the world and other people
out of 49
Self-blame: below the reference value
How much you blame yourself for the event is below the typical level of people with PTSD.
Self-blame: at or above the reference value
How much you blame yourself for the event is at or above the typical level of people with PTSD. Blaming yourself is common after traumatic events; talking these thoughts over with a specialist can lighten the load.
Self-blame
out of 35
Take your result as a rough guide, not a diagnosis. How you feel over time, and a conversation with a specialist, tell much more than a questionnaire.
Talk it through with a specialist
If your result worries you, or you would like to talk it through, our psychiatrists can review it with you, free and without obligation.
Foa EB et al., 1999 (original scale); Turkish form: Güleç M, Kalafat T, Boysan M, Barut Y, 2013.
This English version was translated by NPİSTANBUL from the Turkish form of the test; it has not been validated separately in English.
About this test
The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory measures negative thoughts that can develop after a traumatic event and help keep post-traumatic stress going, in three areas: thoughts about yourself, thoughts about the world and other people, and self-blame. You answer 33 statements in about 7 minutes. Your scores are compared with values from the original study; the result is not a diagnosis.
- Related condition
- Trauma and PTSD
- What happens next
- Psychotherapy
Score ranges of this test: Total score
| 33–132 | Total: below the PTSD reference value |
| 133–231 | Total: at or above the PTSD reference value |
Score ranges of this test: Negative thoughts about yourself
| 21–75 | Thoughts about yourself: below the reference value |
| 76–147 | Thoughts about yourself: at or above the reference value |
Score ranges of this test: Negative thoughts about the world and other people
| 7–34 | Thoughts about the world and others: below the reference value |
| 35–49 | Thoughts about the world and others: at or above the reference value |
Score ranges of this test: Self-blame
| 5–15 | Self-blame: below the reference value |
| 16–35 | Self-blame: at or above the reference value |
Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) · Foa EB et al., 1999 (original scale); Turkish form: Güleç M, Kalafat T, Boysan M, Barut Y, 2013.
This English version was translated by NPİSTANBUL from the Turkish form of the test; it has not been validated separately in English.