Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)
The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) is a 28-question screening scale that assesses the frequency of dissociative experiences a person has in daily life, such as detachment, spacing out, memory gaps, and feelings of unreality.
- Questions
- 28
- Est. time
- ~12 min
- Delivery
- Online · remote
- Scoring
- Automatic
What does the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) measure?
- •Absorption and spacing out
- •Memory gaps (amnesia)
- •Unreality and self-detachment (depersonalization/derealization)
Who is it for?
Used to screen for dissociative symptoms in adults.
How is the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) scored and interpreted?
Each question is marked as a percentage (0–100) of how often the experience occurs; the question scores are averaged. A high average indicates frequent dissociative experiences.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions does the DES have?
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The Dissociative Experiences Scale has 28 questions, each marked 0–100, and an average score is computed.
What does the DES measure?
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It measures the frequency of dissociative experiences such as spacing out, memory gaps, and feelings of unreality.
Does this scale provide a diagnosis?
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No. This is a screening/assessment tool; it does not provide a clinical diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Related scales
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) TestA self-report scale screening for PTSD symptoms following a traumatic event.
- Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACE)A 10-question scale assessing the number of adverse experiences during childhood.
- Borderline Personality Traits TestA self-report test screening for borderline personality traits.
Source: Bernstein, E. M., & Putnam, F. W. (1986).
This page is informational and does not contain the actual questions. The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) is a screening/assessment tool and does not provide a diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Administer the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) to your clients
With Psikometri, assign this scale remotely via a single link; results are scored automatically and turned into a report. No credit card required.
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