SUDS meaning in Academic & Science ?

A Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS – also called a Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale) is a scale ranging from 0 to 10 measuring the subjective intensity of disturbance or distress currently experienced by an individual. Respondents provide a self report of where they are on the scale. The SUDS may be used as a benchmark for an professional or observer to evaluate the progress of treatment. In desensitization-based therapies, such as those listed below, the patients' regular self assessments enable them to guide the clinician repeatedly as part of the therapeutic dialog.

The SUD-level was developed by Joseph Wolpe in 1969. It has been used in cognitive-behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders (e.g. exposure practices and hierarchy) and for research purposes.

There is no hard and fast rule by which a patient can self assign a SUDS rating to his or her disturbance or distress, hence the name subjective.

Some guidelines are: