What Is the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression?

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, also known by the abbreviated letters HDS or HAMD, is a test that measures the severity of a person's symptoms of depression. Names such as the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale are also used to describe this method of evaluating depression.

Usage

• Both children and adults can be tested using the HDS. It is commonly used before a doctor prescribes depression medication or a treatment program. It can also be used in concurrence with depression medication or a treatment program to help measure a patient's progress.

History

• The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was developed by Max Hamilton in the 1960s to conduct interviews with people who showed symptoms of depression. However, the original test differs from the one being used today.

Scale

• The scale is a questionnaire that pertains to an individual's mood and state of mind. It is scored on an ascending scale from 0 to 4 based on responses. For example, a test question from the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression from the University of Massachusetts website states "Feelings of Guilt: 0---Absent; 1---Self Reproach, feels he has let people down; 2---Ideas of guilt or rumination over past errors or sinful deeds; 3---Present illness is a punishment. Delusions of guilt; 4---Hears accusatory or denunciatory voices and/or experiences threatening visual hallucinations." The test is administered by a health professional.

Diagnosis

• The HAMD plays a vital role in understanding the severity of depression, allowing for proper diagnosis and optimal treatment.

Tests

• The test is an informal interview comprising 17 to 21 questions. Every answer is given a score. The overall score determines whether an individual is suffering from a mild, moderate or severe case of depression.