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DSM-5 Severity Measure for Specific Phobia (DSM-5 SP)
DSM-5 Severity Measure for Specific Phobia (DSM-5 SP)
Updated over a year ago

Brief Description

The Severity Measure for Specific Phobia - Adult assesses the severity of specific phobia in individuals ages 18 and older. Specific phobia is defined as an intense, irrational fear of something that poses minimal to no threat and examples of specific phobias people may develop include fear of heights, enclosed spaces or flying. The DSM-5 SP was designed to be completed by individuals who have already received a diagnosis of specific phobia or have clinically significant specific phobia symptoms. Respondents rate their severity of the specific phobia symptom listed (e.g., “...felt moments of sudden terror, fear, or fright in these situations”) from “Never” to “All of the time” considering the last 7 days.


Assessment Administration Type

Self-report


Number of questions

10


Age Range for Administration

18+


Recommended Frequency of Administration

Weekly or as clinically indicated.


Summary of Scoring and Interpretations

The DSM-5 SP consists of 10 items, with each item scored on a 5-point Likert scale, from 0 (“Never”) to 4 (“All of the time”). A total score is calculated by summing the item responses and ranges from 0 to 40; higher scores indicate greater severity of specific phobia.

Additionally, an average total score can be calculated by summing all item responses and dividing by 10 and ranges from 0-4. See the table below for interpretation.

Average Total Score

Severity and Interpretation

0

None

1

Mild specific phobia

2

Moderate specific phobia

3

Severe specific phobia

4

Extreme specific phobia


Blueprint Adjustments

N/A


Clinical Considerations

  • Estimated completion time: 1-3 minutes

  • There is a child/adolescent version of the DSM-5 SP found here.


Citation


Relevant Articles + Further Resources


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