Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
Also written as: HAM-D — Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
Clinician-administered assessment tool measuring depression severity through structured interview.
Full Definition
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D or HDRS) is a widely used clinician-rated instrument for assessing the severity of depressive symptoms in patients already diagnosed with depression. The original 17-item version evaluates symptoms including depressed mood, guilt, suicide, sleep disturbances, and somatic complaints through a structured clinical interview. Scores range from 0-52, with higher scores indicating greater depression severity. The scale requires trained administration and is commonly used in clinical trials and treatment monitoring. Various versions exist (17-item, 21-item, 24-item), with the 17-item version being most standard in clinical practice and research settings.
Usage
Usage note: May be abbreviated as HAM-D or HDRS; specify version number when relevant.
In Context
- "The patient's Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score decreased from 24 to 12 after six weeks of antidepressant treatment." — Clinical trial outcome measurement
- "HAM-D scores above 17 typically indicate moderate to severe depression requiring intensive treatment." — Depression treatment guidelines