Implementing the Scaling Technique
As the medical field uses a pain scale to communicate the level of physical pain one experiences, in mental health, we also use the scaling technique to communicate. The scaling technique uses numbers to communicate a level that we may associate with. This number may correlate to emotional intensity, such as anxiety, anger, depression, exhaustion, and so on. The scale ranges from 1, which is the lowest or best to 10, which is the highest or worst.
When we can communicate a number level to what we are experiencing, we can then implement strategies appropriate to each number from the scale examples below. When we communicate to others using the scaling technique, it can be more efficient to gain the support we need as well.
Remember that it takes approximately 20-30 minutes to de-escalate from intensity of a 5 or above, so bear in mind that if you are at a 7-10, you will probably need 20-30 minutes to de-escalate.
| Intensity Scale | 1-2 🙂 | 3-4🙁 | 5-6😠 | 7-8😡 | 9-10🤬 |
Examples of using the intensity scale:
Fatigue scale:
| Intensity Scale | 1-2 🙂 | 3-4🙁 | 5-6😠 | 7-8😡 | 9-10🤬 |
| 1-Slightly tired2-Everything is more of an effort. | 3-Tiredness makes it difficult, still able to function.4-May be able to do some things depending on the effort required. Not able to exert a lot of energy. | 5-Mostly unable to do usual tasks, can only exert for essential tasks.6 – Too tired to go out of the house, however can do things that require little energy. | 7 -Can walk around the house, can’t stand for more than a few minutes. Difficult to eat and struggling to focus.8-Able to sit and walk around a bit if necessary. Unable to eat, difficulty conversing. | 9-Able to sit and walk for short times w/some difficulty. Cannot eat.10-Can barely sit up, need assistance to get out of bed. | |
| Coping Skills | Nothing | Sit down and rest, eat, and drink cold water. | Sit down and rest, take a short nap, eat, and drink cold water. | Take a longer nap or sleep. | Sleep. |
Emotions scale:
| Intensity Scale | 1-2 🙂 | 3-4🙁 | 5-6😠 | 7-8😡 | 9-10🤬 |
| Feeling happy and calm. Can use coping skills effectively. | Feeling irritable, agitated, anxious, frustrated, unheard, etc.Feeling tightening in the chest, neck, temples, or throat. | Feeling more irritable, agitated, anxious, frustrated, unheard.Using sharp, short, clipped tones, raising voice.Feeling more tension in the body and maybe a little flushed. | Feeling very irritable, agitated, anxious, frustrated, unhead.YellingFeeling very tense body, hot, sweaty, hands clenched, jaw clenched, pacing. | Feeling completely out of control. Yelling.Hitting, punching, kicking, throwing, slamming.Extreme body tension, very hot, sweaty. | |
| Coping Skills | Nothing | Take some time away from the cause. Go for a walk, journal, talk to someone, drink cold water, listen to some music. | Take 20-30 minutes away from the cause of tension and go for a walk, hit a punching bag, vent to a trusted support person, drink cold water, listen to music that matches your mood, journal. | ||
You can use the scales above to communicate and give support or you can create your own scale with coping skills.
