Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS)

Assesses social avoidance and social distress using 28 true/false items.

Answer each statement as true or false according to how it applies to you. The calculator reports total, social avoidance, and social distress scores.

Questionnaire items

1. I feel relaxed even in unfamiliar social situations

2. I try to avoid situations which force me to be very sociable

3. It is easy for me to relax when I am with strangers

4. I have no particular desire to avoid people

5. I often find social occasions upsetting

6. I usually feel calm and comfortable at social occasions

7. I am usually at ease when talking to someone of the opposite sex

8. I try to avoid talking to people unless I know them well

9. If the chance comes to meet new people, I often take it

10. I often feel nervous or tense in casual get-togethers in which both sexes are present

11. I am usually nervous with people unless I know them well

12. I usually feel relaxed when I am with a group of people

13. I often want to get away from people

14. I usually feel uncomfortable when I am in a group of people I don't know

15. I usually feel relaxed when I meet someone for the first time

16. Being introduced to people makes me tense and nervous

17. Even though a room is full of strangers, I may enter it anyway

18. I would avoid walking up and joining a large group of people

19. When my superiors want to talk with me, I talk willingly

20. I often feel on edge when I am with a group of people

21. I tend to withdraw from people

22. I don’t mind talking to people at parties or social gatherings

23. I am seldom at ease in a large group of people

24. I often think of excuses in order to avoid social engagements

25. I sometimes take the responsibility for introducing people to each other

26. I try to avoid formal social occasions

27. I usually go to whatever social engagements I have

28. I find it easy to relax with other people

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Important Notice

This resource is intended for educational purposes only and is intended for US healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals should use independent medical judgment. All decisions regarding patient care must be handled by a healthcare professional and be made based on the unique needs of each patient.