3. IAPT Phobia Scale

IAPT Phobia Scale

This PatientPlus article is written for healthcare professionals so the language may be more technical than the condition leaflets. You may find the abbreviations list helpful.

This calculator is recommended together with the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 in the assessment of patients in the "Improving Access to Psychological Therapies(IAPT) pathway" .[1]

IAPT Phobia Scale
All three questions are marked on a scale 0-8 depending on how much the patient avoids the circumstances described.
Patients should be asked to choose a number from the scale below, then record the number in the box opposite the situation.

0 = Would not avoid it, 2 = Slightly avoid it, 4 = Definitely avoid it, 6 = Markedly avoid it, 8 = Always avoid it.
In-between answers (1,3,5,7 are allowed)
1. Social situations due to a fear of being embarrassed or making a fool of myself.
2. Certain situations because of a fear of having a panic attack or other distressing symptoms
(such as loss of bladder control, vomiting or dizziness).
3. Certain situations because of a fear of particular objects or activities
(such as animals, heights, seeing blood, being in confined spaces, driving or flying).

Scores to each of the questions should be recorded at each session according to the IAPT toolkit.[1]

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Further reading & references

  1. NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Programme.
Original Author: Dr Huw Thomas Current Version:
Last Checked: 26/10/2010 Document ID: 12152  Version: 6 © EMIS

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.