DES-II Test: Free Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES II) Online
Articles are prepared using evidence-based sources and clinical editorial standards.
Have you ever felt like the world around you was unreal, lost chunks of time you cannot explain, or watched yourself from outside your body as if you were in a movie? These experiences — called dissociation — are more common than many people realize, especially after trauma, chronic stress, or overwhelming events. The DES-II test (Dissociative Experiences Scale-II) is the classic 28-item screening tool used worldwide in research and clinical care. On LuriaLab you can take the free DES-II online and receive instant scoring.
What Is the DES-II?
The Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (DES-II) measures how often dissociative experiences occur. It includes 28 statements about experiences such as:
- Depersonalization — feeling detached from yourself
- Derealization — the world seeming unreal or dreamlike
- Absorption — becoming so focused you lose track of time or surroundings
- Amnesia — gaps in memory for everyday events
Each item is rated on a scale from 0% (never) to 100% (always). Your mean score reflects overall frequency — a screening result, not a diagnosis of a dissociative disorder.
DES-II Scoring Explained
DES-II scores are typically reported as a mean percentage across all 28 items. On LuriaLab your result is calculated automatically with interpretation guidance.
In research and clinical practice, mean scores above roughly 30% often suggest clinically significant dissociation worth further evaluation — especially when symptoms follow trauma or interfere with daily life. Lower scores may still be meaningful in context; a trauma-informed therapist can help interpret your pattern.
DES-II vs SDQ-20 vs DSS-B vs A-DES
- DES-II — classic adult dissociation scale (28 items; 0–100% per item)
- SDQ-20 — somatoform dissociation (bodily numbness, weakness, pain)
- DSS-B — brief 8-item past-week dissociation screen
- Full DSS — 20-item past-week scale with subdomain scores
- A-DES — dissociation screening for adolescents
All measure dissociation from different angles. Adults with trauma history often start with DES-II or DSS-B; teens use A-DES.
Who Should Take the DES-II Test?
Adults (18+) who notice depersonalization, derealization, memory gaps, or emotional numbness — especially after abuse, accidents, combat, or other stressful events. Therapists and researchers also use DES-II to track symptom change over time.
What to Do After Your DES-II Results
- Review your mean score and note which experiences feel most frequent.
- Consider trauma-informed therapy if scores are elevated or symptoms affect work, relationships, or safety.
- Explore overlapping symptoms — PTSD and anxiety are common; try PCL-5 or GAD-7 on LuriaLab.
- Download your report to share in a consultation if you choose.
Take the Free DES-II Test on LuriaLab
Ready to explore dissociative experiences? Take the DES-II test on LuriaLab — free, anonymous, and scored automatically.
Important: This test is for educational screening only and does not replace medical or psychiatric evaluation. If you are in crisis, contact emergency services or a crisis line such as 988 in the United States.