Hamilton Depression Rating Scale

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Hamilton Depression Rating Scale

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About Scale Name

Scale Name

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale

Author Details

Max Hamilton

Translation Availability

Not Sure

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale

Background/Description

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) is a 21-item clinician-rated scale developed by Max Hamilton in 1960 to measure the severity of depressive symptoms in patients with mental illness. It is one of the most widely used depression rating scales in clinical practice and research.

The HAM-D is scored on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 indicating no symptoms and 5 indicating the most severe symptoms. The total score can range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more severe depression.

The HAM-D is divided into the following 7 categories:

The HAM-D was originally developed to be used in clinical trials of new treatments for depression. However, it has since been used in a wide range of settings, including research studies, clinical practice, and medical education.

The HAM-D has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of depression. It has been shown to be effective in distinguishing between people with and without depression, and in tracking the severity of depression over time.

The HAM-D is a comprehensive and reliable measure of depression. It is a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers who are assessing the severity of depression and tracking its course over time.

Here is a brief background of the development of the HAM-D:

  • Max Hamilton was a psychiatrist who worked at the Maudsley Hospital in London.
  • He was interested in developing a reliable and valid measure of depression that could be used to assess the severity of depression in patients with mental illness.
  • He developed the HAM-D in the late 1950s and published it in 1960.
  • The HAM-D has been revised several times since then, but the basic structure of the scale has remained the same.
  • The HAM-D is now one of the most widely used depression rating scales in clinical practice and research.

Administration, Scoring and Interpretation

The following are some tips for administering the HAM-D:

  • Create a comfortable and relaxed environment for the interview.
  • Start by asking the patient about their general mood and level of activity.
  • Ask specific questions about the patient’s symptoms, such as their sleep patterns, appetite, and energy level.
  • Observe the patient’s behavior and appearance for signs of depression, such as tearfulness, psychomotor retardation, or suicidal ideation.
  • Be patient and understanding. The HAM-D can be a difficult scale to complete, so it is important to be patient with the patient.

Reliability and Validity

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) is a reliable and valid measure of depression.

Reliability refers to the consistency of the scale. The HAM-D has been shown to have good inter-rater reliability, meaning that different raters give similar scores to the same patient. It has also been shown to have good test-retest reliability, meaning that the same patient scores similarly on the scale when it is administered on two different occasions.

Validity refers to the extent to which the scale measures what it is supposed to measure. The HAM-D has been shown to have good validity in distinguishing between people with and without depression, and in tracking the severity of depression over time.

The HAM-D has been used in a wide range of studies, including clinical trials, research studies, and medical education. It is considered to be a gold standard measure of depression.

Available Versions

21-Items

Reference

HAMILTON M. (1960). A rating scale for depression. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, 23(1), 56–62. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.23.1.56

Important Link

Scale File:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HAM-D?
A 21-item clinician-rated scale used to measure the severity of depressive symptoms.

Who developed the HAM-D?
Max Hamilton, an English psychiatrist.

How is the HAM-D scored?
On a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 indicating no symptoms and 5 indicating the most severe symptoms.

What is the total score range for the HAM-D?
0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more severe depression.

What are the 7 categories of the HAM-D?
Depressed mood, feelings of guilt, suicide ideation, insomnia, agitation or retardation, anxiety, somatic symptoms, insight.

How long does it take to administer the HAM-D?
About 30 minutes.

Is the HAM-D reliable and valid?
Yes, it is a reliable and valid measure of depression.

What are some alternatives to the HAM-D?
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

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