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Somatic Symptom Disorder B-Criterion Scale (SSD-12)

Somatic Symptom Disorder B-Criterion Scale (SSD-12) Test

Understand how physical symptoms shape thoughts, feelings, and coping in about 3 minutes. Fast 12 item screening helps guide support planning and track somatic distress over time.

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Questions: 123 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

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

10,658 views

992 completions

855 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

5/16

Behavioral Aspects (BA)

Measures the extent to which a person’s actions and habits are influenced by concern about somatic symptoms (e.g., reassurance seeking, avoidance, or checking).

Low

Moderate

0 – 4: Low | 5 – 16: Moderate

A score of 5 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting some noticeable symptom-related behaviors that may affect daily activities at times.

example score

11/16

Emotional Aspects (EA)

Measures the intensity of anxiety, worry, and other emotional reactions associated with somatic symptoms.

Low

Elevated

0 – 5: Low | 6 – 16: Elevated

A score of 11 falls in the Elevated range, suggesting notable emotional involvement (e.g., worry or anxiety) in response to bodily sensations.

example score

8/16

Cognitive Aspects (CA)

Measures the intensity and intrusiveness of thoughts related to bodily symptoms, such as worry and interpreting sensations as signs of illness.

Low

Elevated

0 – 4: Low | 5 – 16: Elevated

A score of 8 falls in the Elevated range, suggesting more frequent or stronger symptom-focused thoughts and worry than typically seen at lower scores.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

People with ongoing symptoms

41%OF USERS

Those who have persistent physical complaints and want to understand how much worry, focus, and behavior around the symptoms are affecting daily life.

Primary care visitors

34%OF USERS

Patients in general medical settings where symptoms don’t fully match test results and stress-related patterns need quick clarification.

Therapy and counseling clients

25%OF USERS

People already working on anxiety, stress, or trauma who want to check whether bodily sensations are driving emotional distress and coping habits.

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

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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.

Behavioral Aspects (BA)

Average

Normal range

8.1 — 13.9

min.

max.

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.

Emotional Aspects (EA)

Average

9.8

Normal range

7.8 — 11.8

min.

max.

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.

Cognitive Aspects (CA)

Average

6.6

Normal range

4.2 — 8.9

min.

max.

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 cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to physical symptoms. It focuses on worry, attention to symptoms, distress, and symptom-related avoidance or control efforts.

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is intended for individuals reporting physical symptoms in medical or mental health settings. It can support screening and treatment planning when symptom-related distress is a concern.

How long does it take and how many items are included?

It includes 12 items and typically takes about 3 minutes to complete. Responses are based on recent experiences with bodily sensations and related concerns.

How should responses be selected?

Select the option that best matches the typical level of impact or frequency. Use the full range of response options and avoid leaving items blank when possible.

How should the results be interpreted?

Higher scores indicate greater symptom-related preoccupation, distress, and interference. Results do not establish a diagnosis and should be interpreted alongside clinical evaluation.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Somatic Symptom Disorder B-Criterion Scale (SSD-12) Test - Symptoms and Signs

somatics

In clinical assessment, the Somatic Symptom Disorder B-Criterion Scale (SSD-12) is a brief self-report measure used to evaluate the cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses associated with distressing somatic symptoms. It is intended to characterize the degree of symptom-related preoccupation, emotional burden, and maladaptive coping in a structured format.

The instrument includes 12 items and typically requires about 3 minutes to complete. Items ask respondents to rate how often they experience common reactions to bodily sensations (e.g., symptom-related worry, heightened attention to symptoms, and efforts to control or avoid sensations), supporting a focused appraisal of psychological features relevant to somatic symptom presentations. Developed by Francis J. Keefe, the Somatic Symptom Disorder B-Criterion Scale (SSD-12) is used to inform case formulation and to support clinical decision-making alongside other assessment data rather than as a stand-alone diagnostic tool.

Author: Francis J. Keefe

Literature: Kroenke, K. Patients presenting with somatic complaints: Epidemiology, psychiatric comorbidity and management. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research. 2003.; Toussaint, A., Löwe, B., Brähler, E., & Jordan, P. The Somatic Symptom Disorder – B Criteria Scale (SSD-12): Factorial structure, validity and population-based norms. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 2017.

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