From the Research
The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) is a widely used, patient-rated, discretized analog measure of functional disability in work, social, and family life, and it is sensitive to treatment effects, as demonstrated in studies such as 1.
Overview of the Sheehan Disability Scale
The SDS is a brief self-report tool that assesses functional impairment in three major domains: work/school, social life, and family life/home responsibilities. Patients rate their impairment in each domain on a 10-point visual analog scale from 0 (not at all) to 10 (extremely), with scores of 5 or higher indicating significant functional impairment.
Clinical Use of the SDS
The scale is widely used in clinical practice to evaluate how mental disorders affect a patient's daily functioning, track treatment progress, and guide clinical decision-making. Clinicians typically administer the SDS during initial assessment and at follow-up appointments to monitor changes in functional status over time. The SDS is particularly valuable because it's quick to complete (taking only 1-2 minutes), easy to understand, and provides quantifiable data on functional impairment that complements symptom-based assessments.
Validation and Reliability
The SDS has been validated across numerous psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and substance use disorders, as shown in studies such as 2, 3, and 4. It has demonstrated good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity, making it a reliable and useful clinical tool for measuring disability.
Key Points
- The SDS is a brief, patient-rated measure of functional disability in work, social, and family life.
- It is sensitive to treatment effects and can be used to track treatment progress.
- The scale has been validated across numerous psychiatric conditions.
- It is quick to complete, easy to understand, and provides quantifiable data on functional impairment.
- The SDS is a valuable tool for clinicians to evaluate the impact of mental disorders on daily functioning and guide clinical decision-making, as supported by studies such as 5.