Psychache Scale (PAS-13) Test

In about 3 minutes, this assessment helps gauge the depth of emotional pain like guilt, shame, and loneliness. With 13 items, it supports timely crisis detection and guides next steps for care.
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Questions133 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
16,851 view
1,633 completions
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Verified by Daniel Hall
Psychologist with 25 years of experience
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How the Scales are Structured

example score
39/65
Psychache (P)
Assesses the intensity of subjectively experienced emotional (psychological) pain.
Low
Moderate
High
1330Low3147Moderate4865High
A score of 39 falls in the Moderate range, indicating a noticeable level of emotional pain that may be affecting current well-being.
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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Overwhelmed by inner pain
44%OF USERS
People feeling intense guilt, shame, loneliness, or emptiness use it to quickly understand how severe their emotional suffering is right now.
After loss or breakup
33%OF USERS
Those coping with grief, separation, or a major disappointment take it to gauge how much the event is affecting their mental state.
In crisis risk screening
23%OF USERS
People worried about spiraling thoughts or self-harm use it as a quick check to spot a crisis moment and decide to seek support.
BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.
RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
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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.
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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
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See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.
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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.
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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
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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.
Scale of Emotional Pain (SoEP)
Average
51.5
Normal range
44.958.1
min.
13
max.
65
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 questionnaire measure?
It measures the intensity of psychological pain, including distress such as guilt, shame, loneliness, resentment, or disappointment. It also reflects how strongly this pain affects current emotional functioning.
How long does it take to complete and how many items are included?
Completion typically takes about 3 minutes. It includes 13 items.
How should items be answered?
Answer each item based on how it has felt recently, not on long-term averages. Select the response that best matches the current experience without overthinking.
How are results used in clinical settings?
Results support rapid screening for crisis-level distress and can inform suicide risk assessment when used with other clinical information. They may also guide decisions about the type and urgency of support.
Does the score provide a diagnosis or replace professional evaluation?
No, the score does not diagnose a mental disorder and should not be used as the only basis for clinical decisions. Interpretation is intended to occur within a broader assessment.
WHAT THE TEST MEASURES
About This Assessment

Psychache Scale (PAS-13) Test - Symptoms and Signs

This measure assesses the intensity of subjective psychological pain and related emotional distress. The Psychache Scale (PAS-13) is a brief self-report inventory intended to support clinical screening and treatment planning.

It consists of 13 items and typically takes about 3 minutes to complete. Responses characterize the perceived severity of internal emotional pain and the degree to which it is experienced as difficult to tolerate.

In clinical contexts, the Psychache Scale (PAS-13) may be used alongside other assessment information to help identify acute distress and to inform risk evaluation when suicidal ideation is a concern. Scores should be interpreted within the broader clinical picture and are not diagnostic on their own.

Author: edwin-s-shneidman
Literature: Joiner, T. E., Jr., Brown, J. S., & Wingate, L. R. The psychology and neurobiology of suicidal behavior. Annual Review of Psychology. 2005.; Nock, M. K., Borges, G., Bromet, E. J., Cha, C. B., Kessler, R. C., & Lee, S. Suicide and suicidal behavior. Epidemiologic Reviews. 2008.; Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Psychological Corporation. 1996.; Holden, R. R., Mehta, K., Cunningham, E. J., & McLeod, L. D. Development and preliminary validation of a scale of psychache. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science. 2001.
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