The ITQ (International Trauma Questionnaire) is the only major PTSD screener that distinguishes between PTSD and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), aligned with ICD-11 diagnostic criteria. 18 items measuring PTSD symptoms (re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal) and three additional Complex PTSD domains (emotion dysregulation, negative self-concept, relationship difficulties). Takes 10-15 minutes. Developed by the international ITQ research consortium led by Cloitre, Shevlin, Roberts, and others.

What's the difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD?

PTSD typically follows a single or short-duration traumatic event (an accident, an assault, a natural disaster). Complex PTSD follows prolonged, repeated trauma — childhood abuse, ongoing domestic violence, captivity, war exposure over time — and includes PTSD symptoms PLUS three additional domains: emotion dysregulation (difficulty managing emotions), negative self-concept (persistent shame, worthlessness), and disturbed relationships (difficulty trusting, sustaining closeness). C-PTSD was officially included in ICD-11 in 2018 — the ITQ is the screener built for this diagnostic framework.

What does an elevated ITQ score mean?

The ITQ produces separate scores for PTSD and Complex PTSD. Elevated scores on either warrant clinical evaluation by a trauma-trained clinician. Specifically — meeting the PTSD criteria suggests PTSD-level concerns; meeting both PTSD AND the additional CPTSD criteria suggests Complex PTSD. The scoring is binary per criterion rather than a single total score. Bring results to a trauma-trained clinician for interpretation — general psychiatric assessment often misses CPTSD's distinctive features.

Should I take the ITQ if I'm not sure I have trauma?

Yes if you suspect it. Many people with significant trauma histories do not initially identify their experiences as 'trauma' — particularly when the trauma was prolonged, normalised in family or cultural context, or began in early childhood. The ITQ does not require you to label specific events; it asks about current symptom patterns. A clear screen result helps clarify whether trauma-focused therapy is appropriate. If you are unsure whether your experiences 'count' as trauma — that uncertainty is common in trauma survivors and not a reason to avoid screening.

Can the ITQ trigger trauma responses?

Yes, potentially. Answering questions about trauma symptoms can sometimes intensify those symptoms briefly. If you experience strong activation during the assessment, stop and use grounding (Emergency Reset audios), reach out to your therapist if you have one, or contact a crisis helpline (iCall 9152987821, Vandrevala 1860 2662 345). If you are in active trauma therapy, take the ITQ with your therapist's awareness. The brief activation usually passes; persistent strong activation suggests you would benefit from clinical support.

Assessments

ITQ — Free International Trauma Questionnaire (PTSD + Complex PTSD, ICD-11)

The only major screener that distinguishes PTSD from Complex PTSD. ICD-11 aligned, 18 items, 10-15 minutes. Free in the Mindtalk app.

Trauma screening can be activating — read first

The ITQ asks questions about trauma symptoms. Answering them can sometimes intensify those symptoms briefly. If you are in active trauma therapy, take the ITQ with your therapist's awareness. If you experience strong activation during or after the assessment, use grounding techniques (the Emergency Reset audios are designed for this) and reach out to the lines below.

iCall India: 9152987821
Vandrevala Foundation: 1860 2662 345
AASRA: +91 98204 66726
Cadabams 24/7: +91 97414 76476

All lines listed are free and confidential.

Take the ITQ (12 min)See related assessments

The ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD criteria

The ITQ maps to the ICD-11 diagnostic framework. Meeting the criteria suggests clinical evaluation is warranted; screening is not diagnosis — a trauma-trained clinician must confirm.

PTSD criteria (3 of 3 required)

Re-experiencing in the present — vivid intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares accompanied by emotion or physical sensation
Avoidance of trauma reminders — internal (thoughts, memories) or external (people, places, situations)
Persistent sense of current threat — hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response

Complex PTSD additional criteria (all 3 required, in addition to PTSD)

Affective dysregulation — heightened emotional reactivity, emotional numbing, dissociative symptoms
Negative self-concept — persistent beliefs of worthlessness, defeat, shame, guilt
Disturbances in relationships — difficulty sustaining relationships, feeling distant from others, avoiding intimacy

A clinician using the ITQ results plus a structured clinical interview confirms diagnosis. If the ITQ is the start of your journey toward trauma-focused care, this is the right first step.

What trauma therapy actually looks like

Effective trauma treatments include:

Trauma-focused CBT
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
Prolonged Exposure therapy
Internal Family Systems for complex presentations

Therapy usually proceeds in phases — stabilisation (building emotional regulation skills), processing (working through the traumatic memories), and integration (re-engaging with life). Most evidence-based trauma therapy is 12-25 sessions for single-event PTSD; longer for C-PTSD. The "wait until you are ready" myth is not accurate — skilled trauma therapists pace work to prevent overwhelm.

Cadabams' trauma-trained clinicians offer assessment and therapy in Bengaluru and online across India. Filter the doctors directory for trauma specialism.

When to seek clinical help urgently

Do not wait for a scheduled assessment if:

Active suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviour — see Suicide & Safety for crisis support
Trauma flashbacks that feel like the event is happening now
Severe dissociation — see Dissociation assessments
Inability to function in daily life (cannot work, cannot care for self or others)
Significant escalation of symptoms (sudden worsening over days or weeks)

Contact a crisis helpline (listed in the safety section above) or book a Mindtalk specialist immediately.

Pair with related Mindtalk tools

The full Trauma & PTSD assessments category includes 9 screeners — IES-R, TSQ, ICG, ProQOL, TRM, ITQ-CA, TMQQ, OTTI alongside the ITQ
The Emergency Reset audios (5-4-3-2-1 Grounding, Cold Water Visualization, Vagus Nerve Activation) are the right tool for acute moments of trauma activation
The Dissociation assessments (DES II, DES-B) screen for dissociative experiences that commonly co-occur with trauma
The Suicide & Safety page provides crisis resources if trauma is accompanied by suicidal thoughts

How to take the ITQ

1
Open the ITQ in the Mindtalk app
Tap "Take the ITQ" to open the assessment. You will need a free Mindtalk account — sign-in takes under a minute. Results stay private to your account.
2
Answer the 18 questions
You will be asked to identify a stressful or traumatic event first, then rate how much each symptom has bothered you over the past month. If you experience activation during the assessment, pause and use grounding techniques.
3
Get your PTSD and CPTSD results
You receive separate results for PTSD criteria and Complex PTSD criteria (binary per criterion). Meeting PTSD criteria suggests PTSD-level concerns; meeting both PTSD AND the additional CPTSD criteria suggests Complex PTSD. The app surfaces clinical consultation options.

Take the ITQ (12 min)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ITQ?: The ITQ (International Trauma Questionnaire) is the only major PTSD screener that distinguishes between PTSD and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), aligned with ICD-11 diagnostic criteria. 18 items measuring PTSD symptoms (re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal) and three additional Complex PTSD domains (emotion dysregulation, negative self-concept, relationship difficulties). Takes 10-15 minutes. Developed by the international ITQ research consortium led by Cloitre, Shevlin, Roberts, and others.
What's the difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD?: PTSD typically follows a single or short-duration traumatic event (an accident, an assault, a natural disaster). Complex PTSD follows prolonged, repeated trauma — childhood abuse, ongoing domestic violence, captivity, war exposure over time — and includes PTSD symptoms PLUS three additional domains: emotion dysregulation (difficulty managing emotions), negative self-concept (persistent shame, worthlessness), and disturbed relationships (difficulty trusting, sustaining closeness). C-PTSD was officially included in ICD-11 in 2018 — the ITQ is the screener built for this diagnostic framework.
What does an elevated ITQ score mean?: The ITQ produces separate scores for PTSD and Complex PTSD. Elevated scores on either warrant clinical evaluation by a trauma-trained clinician. Specifically — meeting the PTSD criteria suggests PTSD-level concerns; meeting both PTSD AND the additional CPTSD criteria suggests Complex PTSD. The scoring is binary per criterion rather than a single total score. Bring results to a trauma-trained clinician for interpretation — general psychiatric assessment often misses CPTSD's distinctive features.
Should I take the ITQ if I'm not sure I have trauma?: Yes if you suspect it. Many people with significant trauma histories do not initially identify their experiences as 'trauma' — particularly when the trauma was prolonged, normalised in family or cultural context, or began in early childhood. The ITQ does not require you to label specific events; it asks about current symptom patterns. A clear screen result helps clarify whether trauma-focused therapy is appropriate. If you are unsure whether your experiences 'count' as trauma — that uncertainty is common in trauma survivors and not a reason to avoid screening.
Can the ITQ trigger trauma responses?: Yes, potentially. Answering questions about trauma symptoms can sometimes intensify those symptoms briefly. If you experience strong activation during the assessment, stop and use grounding (Emergency Reset audios), reach out to your therapist if you have one, or contact a crisis helpline (iCall 9152987821, Vandrevala 1860 2662 345). If you are in active trauma therapy, take the ITQ with your therapist's awareness. The brief activation usually passes; persistent strong activation suggests you would benefit from clinical support.

Need a clinician's read on your results?

A high score is a signal, not a diagnosis. Mindtalk's psychiatrists and clinical psychologists can interpret your results and recommend next steps — same-day appointments available.

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