Do you try to push unwanted thoughts out of your head? The WBSI measures how often you do - and how much it backfires. 15 items.

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.