Thought Suppression Test (WBSI)
15-item measure of chronic thought suppression tendency
The White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI), developed by Wegner and Zanakos (1994), measures the tendency to suppress unwanted thoughts. 15 items, 5-point scale, range 15-75.
When the body speaks what the mind can't
The Whiteley Index of Somatization (WBSI) measures somatization — the tendency to experience psychological distress as physical symptoms. When emotional pain manifests as headaches, stomach problems, or chronic fatigue, it's called somatization.
What somatization looks like
- Multiple physical symptoms without clear medical cause
- Symptoms that change or move around the body
- High health anxiety and frequent doctor visits
- Symptoms that worsen with stress
About this scale
The Whiteley Index was developed by Isaac Marks and colleagues as a screening tool for hypochondriasis (now called illness anxiety disorder in DSM-5). It's widely used in both clinical and research settings.
Somatization is common — most people experience it occasionally. It becomes a problem when it's persistent, causes significant distress, or leads to unnecessary medical procedures.
This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. If you're concerned about your physical symptoms, please see a healthcare professional.
Result Interpretation
After completing the 15 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.