Hamilton Depression Test

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale has become the recognized standard for rating severity and change in depressive symptoms. The following depression test, known as the Wakefield Self Report Questionnaire, was developed to permit people who may be depressed to obtain a “depression rating score” by answering 12 simple questions.

I feel miserable and sad.
0)No, not at all 1)Yes, but not much 2) Yes, sometimes 3)Yes, definitely
I find it easy to do the things I used to do.
0)Yes, definitely 1)Yes, sometimes 2) No, not much 3)No, not at all
I get very frightened or panicky feeling for apparently no reason at all.
0)No, not at all 1)No, not much 2)Yes, sometimes 3)Yes, definitely
I have weeping spells, or feel like it.
0)No, not at all 1)No, not much 2)Yes, sometimes 3)Yes, definitely
I still enjoy the things I used to.
0)Yes, definitely 1)Yes, sometimes 2)No, not much 3)No, not at all
I am restless and can’t keep still.
0)No, not at all 1)No, not much 2)Yes, sometimes 3)Yes, definitely
I get off to sleep easily without sleeping tablets.
0)Yes, definitely 1)Yes, sometimes 2)No, not much 3)No, not at all
I feel anxious when I go out of the house on my own.
0)No, not at all 1)No, not much 2)Yes, sometimes 3)Yes, definitely
I have lost interest in things.
0) No, not at all 1)No, not much 2)Yes, sometimes 3)Yes, definitely
I get tired for no reason.
0)No, not at all 1)No, not much 2)Yes, sometimes 3)Yes, definitely
I am more irritable than usual.
0)No, not at all 1)No, not much 2)Yes, sometimes 3)Yes, definitely
I wake early and then sleep badly for the rest of the night.
0)No, not at all 1)No, not much 2)Yes, sometimes 3)Yes, definitely.

The Hamilton Depression Test:

This depression questionnaire is scored by adding up the numbers selected for each of the 12 items. Most depressed people tend to score above 14, whereas most non-depressed people score between 0 and 14. It is important to note that a rating scale such as this does not diagnose clinical depression, but is instead a measure of symptoms often associated with depression. Therefore, use the test only as a guide, and consider consulting a doctor for an evaluation if your score is high.

Scores lower than 15 may still warrant consultation with a doctor if your distress or dysfunction is substantial. Repeating this test after approximately 2 weeks after its first use may be helpful, and if your score is rising, you should strongly consider consulting a doctor.

It is important not to depend too heavily on outside measures of depression. Although they can add some objectivity to the assessment of depression and permit comparisons with a large population of individuals with depression, the subjective experience of depression is highly variable. Some people with normal scores on a depression questionnaire are severely depressed and respond dramatically with treatment.

Read each of these statements carefully, and note the response that best indicate how you are. It is very important to indicate how you are now, not how you were, or how you would hope to be.