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A Subjective Units of Distress Scale is a scale ranging from 0 to 10 measuring the subjective intensity of disturbance or distress currently experienced by an individual. Respondents provide a self report of where they are on the scale. The SUDS may be used as a benchmark for a professional or observer to evaluate the progress of treatment. In desensitization-based therapies, such as those listed below, the patients' regular self assessments enable them to guide the clinician repeatedly as part of the therapeutic dialog.
The SUD-level was developed by Joseph Wolpe in 1969. It has been used in cognitive-behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders and for research purposes.
There is no hard and fast rule by which a patient can self assign a SUDS rating to his or her disturbance or distress, hence the name subjective.
Some guidelines are: