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Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)

Clinician-rated severity of depressive symptoms (17-item).

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)
Depressed mood
Feelings of guilt
Suicide
Insomnia: early (trouble falling asleep)
Insomnia: middle (waking during night)
Insomnia: late (early-morning waking)
Work and activities
Retardation (slowed thought/speech/movement)
Agitation
Anxiety, psychic
Anxiety, somatic
Somatic symptoms, gastrointestinal
Somatic symptoms, general
Genital symptoms
Hypochondriasis
Loss of weight
Insight
Result0 points / 52

No / minimal depression. Commonly used remission cut-off is <=7.

Category
No / minimal depression

When to use

  • Grading depression severity and tracking treatment response in patients with an established diagnosis.

Formula

Sum of 17 items: nine scored 0-4 and eight scored 0-2 (range 0-52). Bands: 0-7 none, 8-16 mild, 17-23 moderate, >=24 severe.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • A rating scale, not a diagnostic instrument; apply only after a clinical diagnosis of depression.

References

  1. Hamilton M. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1960;23:56-62.