Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS)
You can respond anonymously, and no data will be retained from this assessment. If you choose to include your initials and an email address, your results will be automatically sent to the email address provided. Please check that the email address has been entered correctly before submitting this form. All client information is managed on a strictly confidential basis. Please Note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure that our system is securely encrypted, email is not a completely secure means of communication. Think CBT does not accept liability for loss or theft of personal data where any individual chooses to transmit or receive information via email.
Send my assessment results by email:
Initials:
Email:

This questionnaire is not designed to provide a definitive psychological diagnosis or to take the place of a professional consultation. Please answer all questions as accurately and honestly as possible.

Panic Disorder Severity Scale - PDSS

Several of the following questions refer to panic attacks and limited symptom attacks. For this questionnaire we define a panic attack as a sudden rush of fear or discomfort accompanied by at least 4 of the symptoms listed below.

In order to qualify as a sudden rush, the symptoms must peak within 10 minutes. Episodes like panic attacks but having fewer than 4 of the listed symptoms are called limited symptom attacks. Here are the symptoms to count:

  • Rapid or pounding heartbeat
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Chills or hot flushes
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Fear of losing control or Trembling or shaking
  • Dizziness or faintness going crazy
  • Breathlessness
  • Feelings of unreality
  • Fear of dying
  • Feeling of choking
  • Numbness or tingling

1. How many panic and limited symptoms attacks did you have during the week?





2. If you had any panic attacks during the past week...
...how distressing (uncomfortable, frightening) were they while they were happening? (If you had more than one, give an average rating. If you didn’t have any panic attacks but did have limited symptom attacks, answer for the limited symptom attacks.)






3. During the past week....
how much have you worried or felt anxious about when your next panic attack would occur or about fears related to the attacks (for example, that they could mean you have physical or mental health problems or could cause you social embarrassment)?






4. During the past week were there any places or situations...
(e.g., public transportation, movie theaters, crowds,bridges, tunnels, shopping malls, being alone) you avoided, or felt afraid of (uncomfortable in, wanted to avoid or leave), because of fear of having a panic attack?
Are there any other situations that you would have avoided or been afraid of if they had come up during the week, for the same reason? If yes to either question, please rate your level of fear and avoidance this past week.






5. During the past week, were there any activities...
(e.g., physical exertion, sexual relations, taking a hot shower or bath, drinking coffee, watching an exciting or scary movie) that you avoided, or felt afraid of (uncomfortable doing, wanted to avoid or stop), because they caused physical sensations like those you feel during panic attacks or that you were afraid might trigger a panic attack? Are there any other activities that you would have avoided or been afraid of if they had come up during the week for that reason?

If yes to either question, please rate your level of fear and avoidance of those activities this past week.







6. During the past week, how much did the above symptoms altogether...
(panic and limited symptom attacks,worry about attacks, and fear of situations and activities because of attacks) interfere with your ability to work or carry out your responsibilities at home? (If your work or home responsibilities were less than usual this past week, answer how you think you would have done if the responsibilities had been usual.)






7. During the past week...
how much did panic and limited symptom attacks, worry about attacks and fear of situations and activities because of attacks interfere with your social life? (If you didn't have many opportunities to socialize this past week, answer how you think you would have done if you did have opportunities.)