Panic Disorder Severity Scale, PDSS Test - the question form
Questions: 7 · 2 minutes
1. How many full-symptom or limited-symptom panic attacks have you had in the past 7 days?
None.
No full-symptom panic attacks and no more than 1 limited-symptom attack per day.
1–2 full-symptom panic attacks per day and/or many limited-symptom attacks per day.
More than 2 full-symptom attacks in the past week, but on average no more than 1 attack per day.
Full-symptom panic attacks occur more than once per day on most days of the week.
2. If you have had panic attacks in the past 7 days, how much distress (discomfort, anxiety) did they cause at the time they occurred? (If you had more than one, give an average rating. If you had only limited-symptom attacks, answer for those.)
They did not bother me at all, or I did not have any in the past week.
Mild distress (not very severe).
Moderate distress (severe, but manageable).
Severe distress (very intense).
Extreme distress (extremely severe distress during all panic attacks).
3. Over the past 7 days, how often and how much have you worried about when your next panic attack would occur, and about fears during a panic attack (for example, that the attacks indicate a mental or physical illness, or might lead to social disapproval)?
Not at all.
Occasional or only mild worry.
Often or moderately.
Very often or severely.
Almost constantly or to a "paralyzing" degree.
4. During the past 7 days, were there situations or places (e.g., public transportation, movie theaters, bridges, tunnels, hypermarkets, being alone, etc.) that you avoided or felt afraid in because you were afraid a panic attack might start? Were there any other situations you avoided or were afraid of during the past week? If yes, please rate the level of fear and anticipatory anxiety during the past week.
No fear or avoidance.
Mild: occasional fear and avoidance that I was able to cope with. This had little effect on my usual lifestyle during the past week.
Moderate: noticeable but manageable fear and/or avoidance. I avoided some situations, but could feel comfortable in them when accompanied by someone familiar. My usual lifestyle was changed because of this, but my overall functioning was not impaired.
Severe: extensive avoidance. I had to make significant changes to my usual lifestyle in order to avoid feared situations.
Extreme: widespread, disabling fear and/or avoidance. I had to make major changes to my usual lifestyle; important tasks were not completed.
5. During the past 7 days, were there any activities (e.g., exercise, sexual activity, taking a hot shower or bath, drinking coffee, watching horror movies) that you avoided or felt afraid of because they produced physical sensations like those during a panic attack, or because you feared they might trigger a panic attack?
No fear or avoidance.
Mild: occasional fear and avoidance, but I could usually cope with it. It required minor changes to my usual lifestyle.
Moderate: noticeable but manageable fear and/or avoidance. The change in my usual lifestyle was identifiable but limited and did not disrupt overall functioning.
Severe: extensive avoidance. I had to make substantial changes to my usual lifestyle and my functioning.
Extreme: pervasive, disabling avoidance. I had to make major changes to my usual lifestyle; important activities were not completed.
6. Over the past 7 days, how much have symptoms of panic disorder interfered with your ability to work and carry out household responsibilities? (If your work or home responsibilities were less than usual last week, answer based on how you think things would have been if your responsibilities were at their usual level.)
No interference with my ability to work and carry out household responsibilities.
There was mild interference with work and household responsibilities, but I was able to do almost everything I would have done if the symptoms were not present.
There was significant interference with work and household responsibilities, but I was able to cope and get everything done that needed to be done.
There was marked interference with work or home responsibilities; because of these problems, I was unable to do many important things.
There was extreme, disabling interference; I was unable to carry out my work and household responsibilities.
7. Over the past 7 days, how much have full-symptom or limited-symptom panic attacks, and worry about having panic attacks, interfered with your social functioning? (If you did not have much opportunity to spend time with others last week, answer as if you had your usual opportunities.)
No interference.
Mild interference with social functioning, but I was able to do almost everything I would have done if these problems were not present.
Significant interference with social functioning, but I was able to do the most important things.
Marked interference with social functioning; I was unable to carry out many plans because of these problems.
Extreme, disabling interference that made it difficult to do anything socially.