If you are in an immediate crisis, please go to your nearest Emergency Room, or call 911, or call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to talk to someone right now.
The SPAN
Davidson, 2002
The SPAN is a 4-item self-report screen derived from the
Davidson Trauma Scale. Its name is an acronym for the 4 symptoms
assessed (startle, physically upset by reminders, anger, and
numbness). The 4 items that make up the SPAN are the items from the
DTS that best distinguished a sample of patients with PTSD from a
sample of patients without PTSD. Respondents are asked to rate
items on a 5-point scale (ranging from 0 = “Not at all
distressing” to 4 = “Extremely distressing”) to
indicate how distressing each of the symptoms-items has been during
the past week. A total score of 5 indicates a positive screen.
Those screening positive should then be assessed with a structured
interview for PTSD.
Sample Item
Sample items cannot be reproduced.
References
Davidson, J. (2002). SPAN Addendum to DTS Manual.
Multi-Health Systems Inc. New York.
To obtain scale, contact
Multi-Health Systems, Inc.
PO Box 950
North Tonawanda, NY 14120-0950
Tel: (800) 456-3003
Email:
customerservice@mhs.com
From the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder,
US Department of Veterans Affairs.
www.mentalhealth.va.gov
What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD FAQs
Treatment of PTSD
How common is PTSD?
What can I do if I think I have PTSD?
Helping a Family Member Who Has PTSD
How is PTSD Measured?
Traumatic Stress in Female Veterans
FAQs About PTSD Assessment
DSM-IV-TR criteria for PTSD
FAQs About PTSD Assessment: For Professionals
Trauma Exposure Measures
Chart - Trauma Exposure Measures
Potential Stressful Events Interview (PSEI)
Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire (SLESQ)
Trauma Assessment for Adults—Self-report (TAA)
Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ)
Trauma History Screen (THS)
Traumatic Events Questionnaire (TEQ)
Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ)
Traumatic Stress Schedule (TSS)
Combat Exposure Scale (CES)
Evaluation of Lifetime Stressors (ELS)
Life Stressor Checklist—Revised (LSC-R)
Trauma Exposure Measures
PTSD Screening Instruments
Below is a list of links to information on select PTSD Screens, brief questionnaires completed in order to identify people who are more likely to have PTSD. A positive response to the screen does not necessarily indicate that a patient has Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. However, a positive response does indicate that a patient may have PTSD or trauma-related problems and further investigation of trauma symptoms by a mental-health professional may be warranted.
Chart - Screens for PTSD
Short Form of the PTSD Checklist - Civilian Version
Short Screening Scale for PTSD
The SPAN
SPRINT
The Primary Care PTSD Screen (PC-PTSD)
Trauma Screening Questionnaire (TSQ)
Beck Anxiety Inventory – Primary Care (BAI-PC)
PTSD Screening
PLEASE NOTE: Screens are to be used to determine possible problems, and positive cases should be followed up by assessment with a structured interview for PTSD.
Common Reactions to Trauma
People experience a range of reactions following trauma. Here you will find information on what these common reactions are, including anger, nightmares, sleep problems, and more.
Avoidance
Nightmares
Anger and Trauma
Sleep and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
What Are the Traumatic Stress Effects of Terrorism?
Common Reactions After Trauma
Where to Get Help
If you are in an immediate crisis, please go to your nearest Emergency Room, or call 911, or call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to talk to someone right now.
