Important Disclaimer
This screening measures the frequency of dissociative experiences and is for educational purposes only. It does NOT diagnose DID or any dissociative disorder. High scores may reflect various conditions including PTSD, anxiety, or normal variations. Only a licensed professional can provide a diagnosis.
What This Assessment Measures
- Amnestic dissociation: Gaps in memory for personal experiences
- Absorption and imaginative involvement: Deep immersion in fantasy or activities
- Depersonalization: Feeling detached from one's body or self
- Derealization: Feeling that surroundings are unreal or dreamlike
- Identity confusion and alteration
28
Questions
8–12
Minutes
100%
Confidential
About the DID Screening
The DES was originally developed by Eve Bernstein Carlson and Frank Putnam in 1986. The DES-II (1993) revised the response format from a visual analogue scale to a percentage-based format for easier scoring and improved reliability.
The DES-II is the most widely used screening instrument for dissociative disorders and has been translated into over 20 languages. It measures dissociative experiences that occur in everyday life — some of which are normal (like daydreaming or highway hypnosis) and others that may indicate pathological dissociation.
It is important to note that dissociative experiences exist on a spectrum. Many people experience mild dissociation (like getting lost in a book), and this is entirely normal. The DES-II helps identify when dissociative experiences may be more frequent or intense than typical, potentially warranting further clinical evaluation.
This screening does NOT diagnose Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or any other dissociative disorder. A comprehensive clinical assessment is required for diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DES-II?+
The Dissociative Experiences Scale II (DES-II) is a 28-item self-report screening tool that measures the frequency of dissociative experiences. It was developed by Carlson and Putnam and is the most widely used dissociation screening instrument worldwide.
Does a high score mean I have DID?+
No. A high DES-II score indicates frequent dissociative experiences, but these can occur in many conditions including PTSD, borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorders, and even in response to extreme stress or sleep deprivation. Only a comprehensive clinical evaluation can determine if a dissociative disorder is present.
How is the DES-II scored?+
Your percentage responses (0-100%) for all 28 items are averaged to produce a mean score. Scores of 0-10 are normal, 11-20 mildly elevated, 21-30 moderately elevated, and above 30 are considered high and warrant clinical attention.
Are some dissociative experiences normal?+
Yes. Many dissociative experiences are normal and common, such as daydreaming, highway hypnosis, getting absorbed in a book or movie, or momentarily forgetting where you parked. The DES-II captures a range from normal to pathological dissociation.
Are my responses stored?+
No. All responses remain completely private and local to your browser. No data is collected, stored, or transmitted to any server.
References
- Carlson EB, Putnam FW. An update on the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Dissociation. 1993;6(1):16-27.
- Bernstein EM, Putnam FW. Development, reliability, and validity of a dissociation scale. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1986;174(12):727-735.
- Van IJzendoorn MH, Schuengel C. The measurement of dissociation in normal and clinical populations. Clin Psychol Rev. 1996;16(5):365-382.
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). 2013.
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