SUDS Rating
Pronunciation: /sʌdz/
Also written as: SUDS — Subjective Units of Distress Scale
A subjective numerical scale used to measure the intensity of anxiety, distress, or other emotional states during therapy.
Full Definition
SUDS Rating refers to the Subjective Units of Distress Scale, typically ranging from 0 to 100, used to quantify an individual's subjective experience of anxiety, distress, or other target emotions. Originally developed for use in systematic desensitization, SUDS ratings are now commonly employed across various therapeutic modalities to track progress, guide exposure exercises, and help clients develop awareness of their emotional states. The scale provides a common language for therapist and client to communicate about internal experiences that might otherwise be difficult to quantify.
Usage
Usage note: Often written in all capitals as SUDS; rating should be specified as a number.
In Context
- "The client reported a SUDS rating of 85 when imagining the feared scenario during the exposure exercise." — Therapy session note
- "SUDS ratings decreased from 90 to 30 over the course of the 45-minute exposure session." — Anxiety treatment progress report