Brief Description
The DSM-5 Severity Measure for Social Anxiety Disorder assesses the severity of social anxiety symptoms in individuals. This measure is part of the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) and helps clinicians evaluate the impact of social anxiety on a person's daily functioning. It consists of 10 questions that cover various aspects of social anxiety, such as fear and avoidance of social situations, distress in social interactions, and impact on work or school performance. The responses are rated on a Likert scale, allowing clinicians to determine the severity of the disorder and track changes over time. This measure is useful in clinical settings to monitor progress and guide treatment decisions.
Assessment Administration Type
Adult self-report
Number of questions
10
Age Range for Administration
18+
Recommended Frequency of Administration
Weekly
Summary of Scoring and Interpretations
The DSM-5 Severity Measure for Social Anxiety Disorder contains 10 questions scored on a 5-point Likert scale with values from 0 ("Never") to 4 ("All of the time") based on the frequency and intensity of the symptoms experienced over the past week. The total score is calculated by summing all item responses and can range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater severity of social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Blueprint displays the total average score (i.e., sum of all item responses divided by 10), with higher scores also indicating greater severity; see interpretations of total average scores in the table below:
Total Average Score | Interpretation |
0 | None |
1 | Mild |
2 | Moderate |
3 | Severe |
4 | Extreme |
Blueprint Adjustments
N/A
Clinical Considerations
Estimated Completion time: 1-3 minutes.
The DSM-5 Severity Measure for Social Anxiety Disorder is meant to enhance clinical decision-making. It should not serve as the sole basis for making a diagnosis.
It is recommended to be given at regular intervals and as frequently as weekly administrations are appropriate.
Citation
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Relevant Articles + Further Resources
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