DES: Scoring Guide · Dissociative Experiences Scale
The DES (Dissociative Experiences Scale) is a 28-item self-report questionnaire that measures how often dissociative experiences occur in everyday life. Score 0–100 (mean of items); ≥30 warrants clinical evaluation. Covers amnesia, depersonalization, and absorption. Bernstein & Putnam (1986).
DES Score Interpreter
Scores ≥30 were associated with sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 76–85% for dissociative disorders in multicenter research. Further structured clinical assessment is indicated.
28 items, each rated 0–100% in 10% increments; total score = mean of all items. Higher scores indicate more frequent dissociative experiences.
| DES score (mean of 28 items) | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 30+ | Warrants clinical evaluationScores ≥30 were associated with sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 76–85% for dissociative disorders in multicenter research. Further structured clinical assessment is indicated. |
| 20–29 | Above general-population levelsScores in the 20–29 range exceed typical levels seen in general-population samples, though they fall below the established screening threshold. Context and clinical judgment determine next steps. |
| 0–19 | General-population rangeScores below 20 are consistent with levels of dissociation observed in general-population samples. |
Carlson EB et al. (1993). Am J Psychiatry. 150(7):1030–1036. Screening bands per validated cutoff (Carlson et al., 1993) and general-population reference (Bernstein & Putnam, 1986); the <20 range reflects a commonly used clinical convention. Educational reference only — not a diagnostic tool.
For reference only — not an assessment, diagnosis, or medical advice. This page provides scoring reference material; interpretation and clinical decisions rest with a qualified clinician.
What the DES measures
The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES / DES-II) was developed by Eve Bernstein Carlson and Frank Putnam at the National Institute of Mental Health in 1986, and revised as the DES-II in 1993. It is one of the most widely used research scales for measuring dissociation, with thousands of citations in the trauma, PTSD, and dissociative disorders literature.
Items cover three empirically derived subscales: Amnesic Dissociation, Depersonalization/ Derealization, and Absorption. The DES is copyrighted by its authors; Carlson and Putnam have given permission for the DES-II to be copied, distributed or reproduced for research and clinical use.
Need a shorter version? See the 8-item DES-B.
How to administer the DES
The DES is a self-report questionnaire completed independently by the respondent. Each of the 28 items asks how often (0–100%, in 10% increments) certain dissociative experiences occur when not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For each item, slide to indicate the percentage of time the experience applies to you when not under the influence of substances.
Educational reference only. Cannot diagnose or replace clinical evaluation.
DES scoring and interpretation
Carlson & Putnam (1993). The DES score is the mean of all 28 responses, yielding a total score from 0 to 100. A score of ≥30 is the commonly cited clinical threshold, suggesting the need for more full evaluation for a dissociative disorder. Scores below 20 reflect levels typical of the general population.
Psychometric properties
- Reliability. In the original development study, the DES showed good test-retest and split-half reliability, and all item-scale correlations were significant (Bernstein & Putnam, 1986).
- Validity. Scores differentiated eight groups, including normal adults, college students, and people with alcoholism, agoraphobia, phobic-anxious disorders, PTSD, schizophrenia, and multiple personality disorder (Bernstein & Putnam, 1986).
- Screening accuracy. In a multicentre study of 1,051 participants, sensitivity was 76% and specificity 76% (85% in a more representative subgroup of 883); the cutoff of 30 produced similar results (Carlson et al., 1993).
- Item structure. A Rasch analysis of the DES-II in 320 Italian participants found three misfitting items; the remaining 25 items showed high reliability and measurement invariance (Saggino et al., 2020).
Limitations
- Screening, not diagnosis. In the multicentre study, only 17% of people scoring 30 or higher actually had multiple personality disorder (now dissociative identity disorder), while 99% of those scoring below 30 did not (Carlson et al., 1993). A high score calls for a structured clinical interview.
- Self-report. Scores rely on the respondent's insight into experiences that, by their nature, can involve memory gaps.
- Normal dissociation. Dissociative experiences such as absorption also occur in everyday life, so elevated scores are not specific to a disorder.
- Factor structure. The DES-II factor structure has been inconsistent across studies (Saggino et al., 2020).
Measuring Dissociation and Trauma in HiBoop
HiBoop does not offer the 28-item DES; this page is reference material. For dissociation and trauma, HiBoop offers the 8-item DES-B, PCL-5 and ITQ, scored on submission and tracked over time.
HiBoop does not offer this scale. This page is reference material.This library is an academic and clinical reference. A scale described here is not necessarily offered in HiBoop; each page says whether it is.
Bill this assessment
In the US, the DES: Scoring Guide · Dissociative Experiences Scale is usually billed under these CPT codes. Payer rules vary.
Measurement-based care in practice
For clinicians
HiBoop does not offer this scale. For the scales it does offer, responses are scored on submission and tracked over time, and HiBoop automates delivery across your patient panel.
For individuals
This page is a clinical reference, not a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your own symptoms, bring this information to a qualified mental health professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the DES scored?
Each of the 28 items is rated on a 0–100% scale (in 10% increments), reflecting how often the described experience occurs when not under the influence of substances. The DES score is the mean of all 28 responses, yielding a total score between 0 and 100.
What does a DES score of 30 or higher mean?
A score of ≥30 is the widely used clinical screening threshold, associated with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 76–85% for identifying dissociative disorders in multicenter research (Carlson et al., 1993). It does not constitute a diagnosis; it indicates that further clinical evaluation is warranted.
References
- 1.Bernstein EM, Putnam FW. Development, reliability, and validity of a dissociation scale. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1986;174(12):727-735.View source
- 2.Carlson EB, Putnam FW, Ross CA, et al. Validity of the Dissociative Experiences Scale in screening for multiple personality disorder: a multicenter study. Am J Psychiatry. 1993;150(7):1030-1036.View source
- 3.Saggino A, Molinengo G, Rogier G, et al. Improving the psychometric properties of the dissociative experiences scale (DES-II): a Rasch validation study. BMC Psychiatry. 2020;20(1):8.View source
Last reviewed: Jun 3, 2026
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