Dissociative Experiences Scale

What it measures

The most widely used measure of dissociative experiences in clinical and research settings. Items ask how frequently a range of dissociative experiences occur. A Taxon score (DES-T, 8 items) identifies pathological dissociation associated with dissociative disorders and severe trauma.

Response format

Percentage scale (0–100% in 10% increments) for each item; total score = mean of all items (0–100)

Representative items

• Some people have the experience of finding themselves in a place but having no idea how they got there. (Amnesia)
• Some people find that they sometimes sit staring at nothing, thinking of nothing, and are not aware of time passing. (Absorption)
• Some people find that sometimes they are not sure whether things that they remember happening really did happen or whether they just dreamed them. (Amnesia)
• Some people find that they sometimes feel that other people, objects, and the world around them are not real. (Derealisation)
• Some people find that in certain situations they are able to do things with amazing ease and spontaneity that would usually be difficult for them. (Absorption)

Usage notes & scoring

Mean score of all 28 items (range 0–100). Scores >=30 suggest clinically significant dissociation. DES-T (Taxon score, 8 items) better identifies pathological dissociation. Freely available for research. Contains no sensitive content itself but often administered in trauma contexts — ensure appropriate clinical support.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Bernstein, E.M., & Putnam, F.W. (1986). Development, reliability, and validity of a dissociation scale. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 174(12), 727–735.

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