Beginners to the world of EFT Tapping might be interested in knowing what is SUDS in EFT Tapping.
SUDS, which is short for the Subjective Unit of Distress Scale, was first developed by Joseph Wolpe in 1969. This scale has been used as a measure of distress in cognitive-behavioral treatments in traditional cognitive behavioral therapy and in research for decades.
In the 1990's, the Subjective Unit of Distress scale was integrated into the Emotional Freedom Techniques as a way to measure our results with EFT Tapping.
Because there is no known way to objectively measure emotional response, the SUDS scale has become the standard in measuring results. It is fully subjective, of course, and is therefore not easily verified. Basically, we have to take the client's word for it.
In EFT Tapping, we start by taking an initial SUDS level. We simply ask, "on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no distress at all and 10 being the maximum level of distress, how would you measure your current level of distress?"
Once a round or two of tapping has been completed, we stop and ask again, "On a scale of 0 to 10, what is your level of distress now?"
In this way, we are able to ask the client directly what results they are feeling. The goal is to always take the client to a 0 in the level of distress.
SUDS can also be used to measure levels of pain or cravings currently being experienced.
Personal users of EFT tapping can easily use the SUDS scale to measure your own results.
To do so, before you start tapping, take a minute and you're going to feel how you feel in this moment. What level of distress or pain are you feeling?
Rate this feeling on a scale of 0 to 10.
Then tap a round of EFT tapping, using the set up statement of your choice. For example, "even though I am feeling anxious about the meeting I am about to attend, I deeply and completely love and accept myself."
Or "even though I have this throbbing headache on my right temple, I deeply and completely love and accept myself."
Tailor the set-up statement to your particular issue.
Then tap a round, or two. And pay attention to what you are feeling.
Are you feeling more relaxed? Has the symptom decreased or gone away completely?
At the end of the round, take a moment to check in again and ask yourself, "what is my SUDS level now?" Has it gone down? Stayed the same? Gone up?
In most cases, the level of distress will go down. If it does, great. Continue to tap until the symptom goes away completely.
If the number does not go down, try changing the setup statement to be more specific and tap again.
If the number goes up, it can be an indication that a new aspect of the issue has arisen. Continue to tap until the number goes down.
In the rare case where the number does not go down, it is recommended to find a professional EFT practitioner who can help you.
