October 6, 2026 Independent knowledge on EMDR and trauma
EMDR & Trauma Ratgeber

Glossary

SUD scale

Also known as: SUD, Subjective Units of Disturbance

In short

The SUD scale (Subjective Units of Disturbance) measures how distressing a memory feels right now – from 0 (no disturbance) to 10 (the worst disturbance imaginable).

The SUD scale goes back to behaviour therapist Joseph Wolpe. In EMDR therapy it is assessed before processing begins (phase 3) and checked repeatedly during desensitisation (phase 4). The goal is usually a rating of 0 or 1.