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Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) in Chronic Pain

The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) is a mental health assessment used for measuring the degree of severity of depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety are commonly experienced by patients with chronic pain.

  1. Identification

    • DASS consists of 42 self-report items, each of which focus on a negative emotional symptom, such feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. Each item is rated from zero to three, with zero being not present and three being very frequently.

    Time Frame

    • While DASS does not have a specified time frame for completion, it typically only requires 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

    Subscales

    • DASS consists of three subscales: depression scale, anxiety scale and stress scale. Each subscale consists of 14 questions.

    Depression Scale

    • Individuals who score high on the depression scale are likely to lack initiative, have feelings of hopelessness, inability to experience enjoyment, be pessimistic, have a depressed mood and believe that their life lacks value.

    Anxiety Scale

    • Individuals who score high on the anxiety scale are likely to be panicky, exhibit physical signs of anxiety such as trembling or shakiness, experience physical symptoms of anxiety including loss of breath, heart palpitations and sweatiness of palms and fear losing control.

    Stress Scale

    • Individuals who score high on the stress scale are likely to be tense, unable to relax, irritable, easily startled, nervous, impatient and easily frustrated.

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