Ways to Measure Anxiety

In order to measure anxiety, you need to be evaluated using a rating scale. There are three main types of scales, and each measures your symptoms in different ways. You can find abbreviated versions of these scales online at websites such as TestYourself.PsychTests.com if you are trying to decide whether you need to see a doctor. If you do see a professional, he will most likely use one of the following scales to evaluate your symptoms.

Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A)

• The Hamilton Anxiety Scale is one of the most popular rating scales used to measure anxiety. The HAM-A is a clinician-rated symptom scale used to measure how severe the anxiety symptoms are and how well the candidate may respond to therapy. The assessment is performed by a trained professional, reviews the past week and lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. The patient is evaluated on a list of symptoms and judged on a scale of 0 to 4, 0 meaning the symptom is not present, and 4 meaning the symptom is very strongly present. The symptoms are as follows: Anxious mood, depressed mood, somatic muscular complaints, somatic sensory complaints, cardiovascular symptoms, respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, genitourinary symptoms, autonomic symptoms, tension, fears, insomnia, intellectual impairment and how the patient behaves during the interview.

Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-90)

• The Hopkins Symptom Checklist is a self-rated anxiety symptom scale performed in a psychiatric setting. This scale is designed to rate a patient's symptoms, either at the time of the evaluation, or to measure change of symptoms since the last screening. Unlike the Hamilton Anxiety Scales, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist is performed by the patient and measures the symptoms felt during the prior week. It takes about 20 minutes to complete. The scale rates 90 items, 83 of which fall under 9 subcategories: somatisation, depression, anxiety, anger, phobic anxiety, psychotic symptoms, paranoid ideation, obsessive-compulsive symptoms and interpersonal sensitivity. The other seven items analyze sleep or appetite disturbances.

Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HAD)

• The Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale a rating test a patient can take himself, in the comfort of his own home. This test is an ideal way to identify depression and anxiety symptoms before seeking the help of a professional. The scale reviews thoughts and feelings that have been experienced over the last few days, and takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Anxiety and depression are separated into different categories. Each disorder has seven symptoms that must be rated from 0 to 3, 0 meaning you experience no such problems with the item. The scores of each component are added. A score of 7 or less is considered a normal score, 8 to 10 signifies mild symptoms, 11-14 is moderate and 15 or above is severe.