DES-II Scoring Guide & Color-Coded Clinician Edition (Free PDF)
The 28-item Dissociative Experiences Scale (Carlson & Putnam, 1993) reformatted for the clinician's eye — color-coded subscales, DES-T taxon items flagged, and a one-page scoring + EMDR decision guide.
Free PDF for EMDR clinicians. Get it by email.
What's in the color-coded DES-II PDF
All 28 items of the Dissociative Experiences Scale—II (Carlson & Putnam, 1993) — freely available for clinical and research use — on a clinician-friendly two-page form, plus a one-page scoring and EMDR decision guide.
Each item is color-coded by Carlson's three-factor cluster: amnestic dissociation (red), depersonalization / derealization (purple), and absorption / imaginative involvement (teal). The eight DES-T (taxon) items — the Waller, Putnam & Carlson (1996) subset most discriminating for pathological dissociation — are flagged with a star, so you can score them separately at a glance.
Each item has a 0–100 visual scale with 10-point tick marks. The scoring page contains subscale and DES-T scoring guidance and an EMDR follow-up guide that maps profile patterns to recommended actions for Phase 2 / Phase 3 readiness.
Why color-code the DES-II
The raw DES-II produces a single mean score, but the profile is what guides EMDR treatment planning. A client with a total of 18 but elevated DPDR items is a very different case from a client with a total of 18 driven by absorption items alone. Eyeballing the cluster pattern from a raw scoresheet takes minutes; the color coding makes it instant.
The DES-T taxon flag matters too. Waller, Putnam & Carlson (1996) identified eight items that best discriminate pathological from non-pathological dissociation. The DES-T was designed to pick out pathological dissociation more specifically than the full-scale mean; the starred items let you score it in seconds.
How to administer and score
Administration. Give the form to the client with the instructions printed at the top. Most clients complete it in 10–15 minutes. Emphasise that they should rate experiences when not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Don't read items aloud unless reading is a barrier.
Total score. Sum the percentages across all 28 items, then divide by 28. The mean (0–100) is the DES-II total.
Subscale scores. Average the items within each color band — amnesia (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 25, 26), depersonalization/derealization (7, 11, 12, 13, 27, 28) and absorption (2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23), as in the scale manual. Read the profile alongside the total; factor studies don't always reproduce the subscales, so the total is the most reliable score (van IJzendoorn & Schuengel, 1996).
DES-T. Average the eight starred items (3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 22, 27). DES-T ≥ 20 warrants follow-up with a structured measure (MID-60, SCID-D, or DDIS) even if the DES-II total is in the moderate range.
When to follow up with a structured measure
The DES-II is a screen, not a diagnostic tool. Elevations point you to the next step rather than confirming a diagnosis. Common follow-up measures:
- MID-60 (brief form of the Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation) — a quicker follow-up screen; use the full MID or a structured interview to clarify a diagnosis.
- SCID-D (Structured Clinical Interview for Dissociative Disorders) — widely regarded as the reference standard for diagnosis when clinically indicated.
- DDIS (Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule) — covers dissociation, somatic symptoms, secondary features.
If you are not trained in these instruments, refer for a dissociation-focused assessment before opening trauma material. The full EMDR & Dissociation guide covers the assessment lenses in depth.
Reading the EMDR clinical decision guide
The guide on the scoring page maps results to next steps. The headline patterns:
Total ≥ 30 or DES-T ≥ 20 — higher likelihood of a dissociative disorder. Assess further (MID, SCID-D or DDIS) before Phase 3–6 work.
Any amnesia-subscale item endorsed, whatever the total — follow up with a clinical interview about time loss and identity; consider the MID.
Low total, no amnesia items, no history markers or in-session signs — lower likelihood but not ruled out. Standard protocol with ongoing monitoring for in-session dissociation.
Elevated depersonalisation/derealisation items — may fit the PTSD dissociative subtype or DPDR; strengthen grounding and dual attention and assess further if signs persist.
High absorption only — often non-pathological; interpret alongside the other subscales and history.
A low score is not clearance: under-reporting is common, so read every item and pair the screen with a clinical interview (Leeds, Madere & Coy, 2022).
Common questions about the DES-II in EMDR
How often should I re-administer? Baseline at Phase 1, again before any new chapter of reprocessing, and any time the clinical picture shifts. Repeat at discharge and whenever new dissociative signs appear.
What if the client under-reports? Common in dissociative presentations — the experiences feel normal to the person living them. Triangulate with clinical interview, in-session observation (loss of presence, switching, time gaps), and collateral history. A low DES-II in a client who loses time in session is not a low DES-II.
Does the DES-II diagnose DID or OSDD? No. It screens for dissociative experiences. Diagnosis requires a structured measure (SCID-D, MID, DDIS) and clinical interview.
Can clients fill this in between sessions? Yes — most do. Some clinicians prefer to administer in-session for clients with low literacy, language barriers, or active suicidality (so you can address item 27 / voice items immediately if elevated).
Related on the EMDR guide
Frequently asked questions
Is the DES-II free to use?
Yes. The DES-II (Carlson & Putnam, 1993) is freely available: the authors have given permission for it to be copied for clinical and research use.
What's the difference between the DES-II and the DES-T?
The DES-T is an 8-item subset of the DES-II (items 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 22, 27) shown to have higher specificity for pathological dissociation. It is scored from the same form — the starred items on this PDF.
Is a DES-II total of 30 a diagnostic cut-off?
No. It's a screening threshold that prompts further assessment with a structured measure (MID-60, SCID-D, or DDIS). Many clients above 30 do not have a dissociative disorder, and some clients with dissociative disorders score below 30 — so review the items, not just the total (Leeds, Madere & Coy, 2022).
Can I use this with adolescents?
Use the adolescent-adapted version (A-DES) for clients under 18. The DES-II was normed on adults.
References
- Bernstein, E. M., & Putnam, F. W. (1986). Development, reliability, and validity of a dissociation scale. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 174(12), 727–735.
- Carlson, E. B., & Putnam, F. W. (1993). An update on the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Dissociation, 6(1), 16–27.
- Waller, N. G., Putnam, F. W., & Carlson, E. B. (1996). Types of dissociation and dissociative types: A taxometric analysis of dissociative experiences. Psychological Methods, 1(3), 300–321.
- International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (2011). Guidelines for treating dissociative identity disorder in adults, third revision. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 12(2), 115–187.
- Van der Hart, O., Nijenhuis, E. R. S., & Steele, K. (2006). The Haunted Self: Structural Dissociation and the Treatment of Chronic Traumatization. Norton.