NSESSS
PTSDSeverity of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms—Adult
Overview
The National Stressful Events Survey PTSD Short Scale (NSESSS) is a 9-item measure assessing the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in adults.
Scoring & Interpretation Reference
Average score indicates none or negligible posttraumatic stress symptoms.
Average score indicates mild posttraumatic stress symptoms.
Average score indicates moderate posttraumatic stress symptoms.
Average score indicates severe posttraumatic stress symptoms.
Average score indicates extreme posttraumatic stress symptoms.
Scale Content & Assessment Items
In the past 7 days, how much were you bothered by:
Having "flashbacks," that is, you suddenly acted or felt as if a stressful experience from the past was happening all over again (for example, you reexperienced parts of a stressful experience by seeing, hearing, smelling, or physically feeling parts of the experience)?
Feeling very emotionally upset when something reminded you of a stressful experience?
Trying to avoid thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations that reminded you of a stressful experience?
Thinking that a stressful event happened because you or someone else (who didn't directly harm you) did something wrong or didn't do everything possible to prevent it, or because of something about you?
Having a very negative emotional state (for example, you were experiencing lots of fear, anger, guilt, shame, or horror) after a stressful experience?
Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy before having a stressful experience?
Being "super alert," on guard, or constantly on the lookout for danger?
Feeling jumpy or easily startled when you hear an unexpected noise?
Being extremely irritable or angry to the point where you yelled at other people, got into fights, or destroyed things?