SUDS

A self-report scale, typically ranging from 0 to 100 or 0 to 10, used to measure the intensity of subjective distress or anxiety experienced by an individual in a given moment. SUDS ratings are widely used in exposure therapy for OCD and anxiety disorders to track anxiety levels during and after exposure exercises, monitor progress over time, and calibrate the difficulty of exposure tasks. In OCD treatment, clients rate their SUDS before, during, and after encountering triggers to build awareness of their anxiety patterns and observe habituation.