Self-assessment
Stress test
The Perceived Stress Scale is one of the most widely used tools for measuring how stressful life feels right now. Your answers help you see whether it may be worth taking action.
- 10 questions
- ~3 min
- Free no sign-up
Our Discord has a channel per topic and you pick the ones you want when you join, so you are not dropped into fourteen rooms at once. Reading without posting is completely fine. There are no clinicians in there, so it is other people rather than treatment.
Open the DiscordHow to read your Stress score
Answers across the 10 questions add up to a single score. A higher score means more frequent symptoms, not a diagnosis. Here is what each range means.
- 0-13: Low
- Your answers point to a manageable level of stress at the moment. It is still worth keeping simple habits that protect you, such as regular sleep, movement, and time to unwind.
- 14-26: Moderate
- A moderate result is common and worth paying attention to. Small, consistent changes to how you rest, set boundaries, and process worries can make a real difference. If stress persists or affects your daily life, consider talking to a GP or mental-health professional.
- 27-40: High
- A high result suggests stress may be taking a real toll right now. You do not have to manage it alone, and support is effective. Consider speaking with a GP or mental-health professional about what is going on.
A score is a prompt for a conversation, not a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional can diagnose, and they will consider far more than a questionnaire.
Source: Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 1983;24(4):385-396. Made freely available by the author for research and educational use.