Home
Psychological tests
Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire-5 (SDQ-5)

Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire-5 (SDQ-5) Test

Helps clarify whether unexplained physical symptoms may relate to dissociation from stress or trauma in about 1 minute. Five quick items support triage and guide next steps for care.

Start Online Test

Questions: 51 minute

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

19,257 views

1,168 completions

924 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

21/25

Somatoform Dissociation Scale (SDQ-5) (SDS5)

Assesses the severity of somatoform dissociative symptoms reflected in medically unexplained or stress-linked bodily experiences.

Low

Clinically significant

5 – 10: Low | 11 – 25: Clinically significant

A score of 21 falls in the clinically significant range, indicating a high level of somatoform dissociative symptoms.

Start Online Test

just completed the test

DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Unexplained physical symptoms

41%OF USERS

People with recurring numbness, weakness, pain, or other “neurological” complaints that doctors can’t fully explain use it to check whether stress or trauma may be involved.

Trauma and dissociation concerns

34%OF USERS

Those with a history of trauma or high stress who notice feeling detached, “shut down,” or unlike themselves take it to see if these experiences show up in the body.

Therapy or counseling clients

25%OF USERS

People already in psychotherapy or medical counseling use it as a quick screening to decide whether deeper assessment of dissociation is needed.

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.

Start Online Test

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.

Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-5) (SDQ()

Average

13.6

Normal range

10.5 — 16.6

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.

Start Online Test

Featured On

CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It screens for somatoform dissociation, meaning physical symptoms linked to disruptions in awareness, memory, or identity. It focuses on symptoms that may occur in response to psychological stress or trauma.

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is intended for individuals reporting bodily or “pseudo-neurological” symptoms without a clear medical explanation. It may also be used when stress- or trauma-related factors are being considered.

How should items be answered?

Each item is rated by frequency based on typical experience. Answers should reflect the past pattern of symptoms rather than a single isolated episode.

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

It contains 5 items and typically takes about 1 minute to complete. It is designed for rapid screening rather than detailed assessment.

How should results be interpreted?

Scores indicate the likelihood of somatoform dissociation and whether follow-up assessment may be useful. Results do not confirm a medical or psychiatric diagnosis and do not replace medical evaluation.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire-5 (SDQ-5) Test - Symptoms and Signs

dissociation

This brief self-report measure is used to screen for somatoform manifestations of dissociation in clinical and research settings. The Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire-5 (SDQ-5) asks respondents to rate the frequency of selected bodily or sensory experiences that may reflect disruptions in the integration of awareness, memory, or identity.

Developed by Ellert R. S. Nijenhuis, it contains 5 items and typically takes about 1 minutes to complete. Scores are intended to support clinical formulation and to help determine whether more comprehensive assessment of dissociative symptoms may be warranted; the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire-5 (SDQ-5) is not designed to establish a medical or psychiatric diagnosis on its own.

Author: Ellert R. S. Nijenhuis

Literature: Briere, J., & Scott, C. The principles of trauma therapy: A guide to symptoms, evaluation, and treatment. SAGE Publications. 2015.; Friedman, M. J., Keane, T. M., & Resick, P. A. (Eds.). Handbook of PTSD: Science and practice. Guilford Press. 2014.; Nijenhuis, E. R., Spinhoven, P., van Dyck, R., van der Hart, O., & Vanderlinden, J. The development and psychometric characteristics of the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20). The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 1996.; Nijenhuis, E. R., Spinhoven, P., van Dyck, R., van der Hart, O., & Vanderlinden, J. The development of the somatoform dissociation questionnaire (SDQ-5) as a screening instrument for dissociative disorders. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 1997.

Test Question Form