Dissociative Experiences Scale, Brief (DES-B)

The Dissociative Experiences Scale – Brief (DES-B) is an 8-item self-report measure designed to assess dissociative experiences—such as depersonalization, derealization, amnesia, and identity confusion. It is a short-form version of the original 28-item Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), developed to allow routine screening for dissociation in clinical settings.

The DES-B is especially useful for identifying dissociative symptoms that often co-occur with trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD, and personality disorders, and for distinguishing dissociation from other psychological symptoms.

About the DES-B

The DES-B was adapted from the original DES by Dr. Bethany Brand and colleagues. It captures the core aspects of dissociative phenomena while reducing respondent burden and improving accessibility in high-throughput environments like outpatient mental health clinics.

The DES-B assesses frequency of dissociative symptoms, including:

• Depersonalization (feeling detached from one’s body)
• Derealization (feeling the world is unreal)
• Time loss or memory gaps
• Disruptions in identity or sense of agency

It is validated for use in adolescent and adult populations, and has strong psychometric support as a screening instrument for dissociation and dissociative disorders.

Who is the DES-B For?

The DES-B is intended for clients aged 13 and older who are:

• Presenting with trauma-related symptoms
• Reporting frequent blank spells, disorientation, or identity confusion
• Undergoing treatment for PTSD, CPTSD, borderline personality disorder, or complex trauma
• Being monitored for dissociative symptoms over time

Use the checklist below to evaluate fit:

• Is the client reporting memory gaps, time loss, or disconnection from self or surroundings?
• Is dissociation suspected as part of the clinical presentation?
• Are trauma-related symptoms not fully explained by anxiety, depression, or psychosis alone?

The Scale

The DES-B contains 8 items, each rated on a scale from 0% to 100% in increments of 10%, reflecting how often the client experiences a dissociative symptom:

“Please indicate what percentage of the time this happens to you (0% = never, 100% = always).”

Examples of items include:

• “I find myself in a place and don’t remember how I got there.”
• “I feel disconnected from my body or as if I am observing myself from outside my body.”
• “I am not sure whether things I remember really happened or if I just dreamed them.”

Scoring the DES-B

Scoring is calculated by averaging the percentages across all 8 items:

• Total Score = (Sum of item scores) ÷ 8

Score Range

• 0–10% No to minimal dissociative experiences
• 11–29% Mild to moderate dissociation
• 30–49% Clinically significant dissociation
• 50%+ High likelihood of dissociative disorder

HiBoop flags scores above 30% for clinical follow-up and recommends a review of trauma history and current coping mechanisms. Any score above 50% should prompt consideration of dissociative disorders and may warrant structured diagnostic tools like the SCID-D-R.

The DES-B in Practice

Common uses for the DES-B include:

• Initial trauma assessment, especially where dissociation may interfere with symptom tracking or therapeutic engagement
• Monitoring during EMDR, somatic, or phase-based trauma treatments
• Differentiating dissociation from psychosis, anxiety, or cognitive impairment

HiBoop allows longitudinal tracking of dissociation patterns and can trigger adaptive recommendations for trauma-informed care practices if elevated scores persist.