Differential Emotions Scale (DES) Test

Understand your current emotional profile in about 6 minutes. A quick 30 item check that pinpoints nuanced, mixed feelings to guide support and next steps.
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Questions306 minutes
Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.
08:30
October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025
Material has been updated
13,877 views
1,308 completions
1,030 likes
Verified by Daniel Hall
Psychologist with 25 years of experience
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Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score
25/45
Anxious Depressive Emotions Index (ADEI)
TDAM reflects the intensity of a relatively stable anxiety–depressive emotional pattern shaping one’s subjective appraisal of the current situation.
Low
Moderate
High
920Low2130Moderate3145High
A score of 25 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme level of anxiety–depressive emotional tone at the moment.
example score
39/60
Negative Emotions (NEM) (NE)
NEM summarizes the overall intensity of acute negative emotions being experienced in the current situation.
Low
Moderate
High
1224Low2532Moderate3360High
A score of 39 falls in the High range, suggesting a relatively elevated level of negative emotional response right now.
example score
32/45
Positive Emotions Index (PEI)
Assesses the intensity of positive emotional attitude toward the current situation.
Low
Moderate
High
919Low2028Moderate2945High
A score of 32 falls in the High range, indicating a relatively strong positive emotional orientation toward the current situation.
example score
10/15
Guilt (X) (G)
Measures the current intensity of guilt related to perceived responsibility for a moral or ethical wrongdoing.
Low
Moderate
High
37Low811Moderate1215High
A score of 10 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme level of guilt at the moment.
example score
9/15
Shame (IX) (S)
Measures the current intensity of shame related to perceived mismatch with personal or social standards.
Low
Moderate
High
37Low811Moderate1215High
A score of 9 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme level of shame right now.
example score
10/15
Fear (VIII) (F)
Measures the current intensity of fear in response to perceived potential threat or danger.
Low
Moderate
High
37Low811Moderate1215High
A score of 10 indicates a moderate level of fear, suggesting noticeable but not overwhelming threat-related tension at the moment.
example score
8/15
Contempt (VII) (C)
Measures the current intensity of contempt, reflecting negative evaluation or distancing toward others due to perceived mismatched values, views, or behavior.
Low
Moderate
High
37Low811Moderate1215High
A score of 8 indicates a moderate level of contempt, suggesting some noticeable negative distancing or critical appraisal toward others in the current moment.
example score
10/15
Disgust (VI) (D)
Measures the current intensity of disgust in response to things perceived as violating one’s moral, ideological, or aesthetic standards.
Low
Moderate
High
37Low811Moderate1215High
A score of 10 indicates a moderate level of disgust, suggesting noticeable aversion that may influence how certain situations or stimuli are experienced right now.
example score
6/15
Anger (A)
Measures the current intensity of anger as a negative emotional response to perceived obstacles or frustration.
Low
Moderate
High
37Low811Moderate1215High
A score of 6 falls in the Low range, suggesting relatively mild anger at the moment.
example score
9/15
Grief (IV) (G)
Measures the current intensity of grief-related emotional distress linked to perceived loss or blocked vital needs.
Low
Moderate
High
37Low811Moderate1215High
A score of 9 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme level of grief-related emotional strain right now.
example score
13/15
Surprise (III) (S)
Measures the current intensity of surprise in response to sudden or unexpected events, reflecting a brief attentional shift that can transition into interest.
Low
Moderate
High
37Low811Moderate1215High
A score of 13 indicates high surprise, suggesting a strong immediate orienting response to something unexpected that may momentarily override other emotions and draw focused attention.
example score
7/15
Joy (J)
Measures the current intensity of joy related to experiencing a positive outcome or satisfaction of a need.
Low joy
Moderate joy
High joy
37Low joy811Moderate joy1215High joy
A score of 7 indicates low current joy, suggesting limited positive uplift or satisfaction at the moment.
example score
7/15
Interest (I) (I)
Measures the current intensity of interest as a positive emotion linked to curiosity, learning, and engagement.
Low
Moderate
High
37Low811Moderate1215High
A score of 7 indicates low current interest, suggesting limited curiosity or engagement at the moment.
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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Self-awareness seekers
41%OF USERS
People who want a quick snapshot of what they’re feeling right now, especially when emotions are mixed or hard to name.
Therapy and coaching clients
34%OF USERS
Clients using the test before or during sessions to clarify their emotional state and track changes after stressful events.
Helping professionals
25%OF USERS
Psychologists, coaches, and counselors who use it to map a client’s emotional profile and guide next steps in support.
BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.
RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly
Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.
AI-Powered
Interpretation
You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.
Statistical
Comparison
See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.
Practical
Recommendations
You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.
AI-Powered
Insights
Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.
Discuss with
an AI Therapist
Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.
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Used in 52+ countries
Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.
TDAM (anxious) (T()
Average
29.4
Normal range
24.734
min.
9
max.
45
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
NEM (Negative) (N()
Average
40.5
Normal range
33.847.3
min.
12
max.
60
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
PEM (positive) (P()
Average
25.2
Normal range
19.331
min.
9
max.
45
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Guilt (X) (G()
Average
6.9
Normal range
5.48.4
min.
3
max.
15
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Shame (IX) (S()
Average
7.6
Normal range
6.29.1
min.
3
max.
15
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Fear (VIII) (F()
Average
6.3
Normal range
4.77.8
min.
3
max.
15
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Contempt (VII) (C()
Average
10.3
Normal range
8.312.2
min.
3
max.
15
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Disgust (VI) (D()
Average
11.9
Normal range
10.213.6
min.
3
max.
15
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Anger (V) (A()
Average
9.7
Normal range
7.611.8
min.
3
max.
15
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Grief (IV) (G()
Average
12
Normal range
10.213.7
min.
3
max.
15
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Surprise (III) (S()
Average
10.9
Normal range
9.212.6
min.
3
max.
15
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Joy (II) (J()
Average
7.4
Normal range
5.79
min.
3
max.
15
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Interest (I) (I()
Average
6.4
Normal range
4.78.1
min.
3
max.
15
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this scale measure?
It measures the current intensity of ten basic emotions. It provides a snapshot of the present emotional profile.
How is the questionnaire completed?
Each item is rated based on how strongly the emotion is felt right now. Responses should reflect the current moment rather than general tendencies.
How long does it take and how many items are included?
Estimated completion time is about 6 minutes. The questionnaire includes 30 items.
Which emotions are included?
The scale covers interest, joy, surprise, anger, fear, disgust, contempt, sadness, guilt, and shame. Each emotion is assessed through multiple items.
How should results be interpreted and used?
Scores indicate relative intensity across the assessed emotions at the time of completion. Results should be interpreted in context and, when used clinically, alongside other information.
WHAT THE TEST MEASURES
About This Assessment
Differential Emotions Scale, DES Test

Differential Emotions Scale (DES) Test - Symptoms and Signs

Emotional experiences can be difficult to differentiate in day-to-day life. The Differential Emotions Scale (DES) is a brief self-report measure designed to assess the current intensity of discrete emotions.

The instrument includes 30 items and typically takes about 6 minutes to complete. Respondents rate the extent to which specific emotion descriptors reflect their present feelings, yielding an emotion profile that can support clinical formulation and monitoring of change over time.

The Differential Emotions Scale (DES) may be used in clinical or research settings to characterize affective states and to track shifts in emotion following stressors or interventions. Results should be interpreted in context and alongside other clinical information rather than as a standalone diagnostic indicator.

Author: carroll-e-izard
Literature: Kahneman, D., Diener, E., & Schwarz, N. (Eds.). Well-being: The foundations of hedonic psychology. Russell Sage Foundation. 1999.; Izard, C. E. Human emotions. Plenum Press. 1977.
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