Some people have the experience of driving a car and suddenly realizing that they don't remember what has happened during all or part of the trip. This happens to me.
FAQs
What is the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)?
The DES is a 28-item self-report questionnaire that measures the frequency of dissociative experiences, including depersonalization, derealization, amnesia, and identity confusion.
Who developed the DES and when?
Developed by Eve Bernstein Carlson and Frank W. Putnam in 1993.
What type of assessment is the DES?
It is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess the frequency and severity of dissociative experiences.
What does the DES assess?
- Depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself)
- Derealization (feeling that surroundings are unreal)
- Amnesia (gaps in memory)
- Identity confusion/alteration
- Absorption/imaginative involvement
- Overall dissociative tendencies
How many items and what format?
28 items rated on an 11-point scale (0-100%) assessing frequency of dissociative experiences.
How is the DES scored?
Total score ranges from 0-100. Higher scores indicate greater dissociation. Subscale scores available for different types of dissociation.
Who can use the DES?
Adults (18+) in clinical, research, and forensic settings for assessing dissociative symptoms and disorders.
What are the strengths of the DES?
Excellent psychometric properties, comprehensive dissociation assessment, widely validated, good discriminant validity.
What are the limitations of the DES?
Not diagnostic, may be influenced by suggestibility, requires reading ability.