summary For clinical practice various instruments are available for measuring the intensity of somatoform disorders. The intensity of a single symptom is measured with verbal, visual or numerical scales. On the basis of available Dutch validity data the following questionnaires can be recommended: Checklist for Individual Strength (CIS), Pain Coping Cognition List (in Dutch: PCCL), Physical Symptom Checklist (in Dutch: LKV), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Whitely Index (wi), Maastricht Health Attitude and Hypochondria Scale (in Dutch: MEGAH) and Illness Attitude Scale (IAS).