SDQ-20: Free Somatoform Dissociation Test Online
Articles are prepared using evidence-based sources and clinical editorial standards.
Do you sometimes feel numbness, weakness, or pain in your body that is hard to explain medically? These experiences can be linked to dissociation — when the mind and body feel disconnected, often after stress or trauma. The SDQ-20 (Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire) is a validated 20-item screening tool for these symptoms. On LuriaLab you can take the free SDQ-20 online and get instant scoring with a clear severity chart.
What Is the SDQ-20?
The SDQ-20 was developed by Nijenhuis and colleagues (1996) to measure somatoform dissociation — physical symptoms that reflect dissociative processes rather than a clear medical disease. It is widely used in trauma research and clinical practice alongside tools like the DES-II.
The questionnaire has 20 items. You rate how often each symptom occurred in the past 12 months on a 5-point scale from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). Total scores range from 20 to 100.
What Symptoms Does It Cover?
Items describe experiences such as:
- Feeling that part of your body is numb, stiff, or not fully yours
- Sudden weakness, heaviness, or paralysis-like sensations
- Pain or other physical symptoms that feel disconnected from normal sensation
- Difficulty sensing hunger, bladder fullness, or other body signals
These are not imagined — they are real experiences that can still have a psychological and trauma-related component. A clinician can help separate medical, neurological, and dissociative explanations.
How Scoring Works on LuriaLab
LuriaLab sums your answers and shows your result on a severity scale with published cut-off bands. In research, scores from about 23 upward often indicate clinically meaningful somatoform dissociation, but context matters — trauma history, other symptoms, and a professional assessment all play a role.
Higher scores suggest more frequent somatoform dissociative symptoms. Lower scores do not rule out other forms of dissociation or trauma-related difficulties.
Who Should Take the SDQ-20?
Adults (18+) who notice unexplained bodily symptoms, feel emotionally numb, or wonder whether past trauma still affects their body may find the SDQ-20 helpful as a starting point. Therapists and researchers also use it to track change over time.
The SDQ-20 is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Only a qualified mental health or medical professional can determine what your symptoms mean and what treatment fits.
What to Do After Your Results
- Read your score band and note which items scored highest.
- Consider related screeners — dissociation, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms often overlap (e.g. DES-II, PCL-5, GAD-7 on LuriaLab).
- Talk to a trauma-informed clinician if scores are elevated or symptoms affect daily life.
- Download your report to share in a consultation if you choose.
Take the Free SDQ-20 on LuriaLab
Ready to explore somatoform dissociation symptoms? Take the SDQ-20 on LuriaLab — free, anonymous, and scored automatically with official cut-offs.
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.