Important Disclaimer
This is a self-report adaptation of a clinician-administered scale. Results may differ from a professional evaluation. This tool is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a clinical diagnosis. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.
What This Assessment Measures
- Depressed mood and feelings of sadness
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
- Suicidal ideation
- Insomnia (early, middle, and late)
- Work and activity impairment
- Psychomotor retardation and agitation
- Anxiety (psychological and somatic)
- Somatic symptoms and appetite changes
- Hypochondriasis and loss of insight
- Weight loss
17
Questions
5–8
Minutes
100%
Confidential
About the HAM-D
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was developed by Dr. Max Hamilton in 1960 and remains one of the most extensively used and studied depression measures in clinical research and practice. Originally designed as a clinician-administered instrument, it has been adapted for self-report use to increase accessibility.
The HAM-D is notable for its comprehensive coverage of depressive symptoms, including somatic complaints that may be overlooked by other instruments. The 17-item version (HAM-D-17) is the most commonly used, though versions with 21, 24, and 29 items also exist. It is frequently used as an outcome measure in clinical trials for antidepressant medications and psychotherapy.
Note: This is a self-report adaptation. The original HAM-D is designed to be administered by a trained clinician during a structured interview. Self-report results may differ from clinician-administered scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HAM-D?+
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D or HDRS) is a 17-item instrument created by Dr. Max Hamilton in 1960. It is one of the most widely used measures of depression severity in clinical research and practice. This version is a self-report adaptation of the clinician-administered original.
How is the HAM-D different from the PHQ-9?+
The PHQ-9 is a brief 9-item self-report screener focused on DSM criteria for depression. The HAM-D is more comprehensive (17 items) and was originally clinician-administered, covering additional dimensions like somatic symptoms, insomnia subtypes, and psychomotor changes in greater detail.
Why do some questions have different numbers of response options?+
The HAM-D uses variable scaling: some items are scored 0-4 (5 options) and others 0-2 (3 options), reflecting the clinical judgment framework of the original instrument. Items with fewer options typically assess more straightforward, binary symptoms.
What is the maximum possible score?+
The maximum possible score on the HAM-D-17 is 52. Scores of 0-7 indicate normal, 8-13 mild, 14-18 moderate, 19-22 severe, and 23+ very severe depression.
Are my responses stored?+
No. All responses remain completely private and local to your browser. No data is collected, stored, or transmitted to any server.
References
- Hamilton M. A rating scale for depression. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1960;23(1):56-62.
- Zimmerman M, Martinez JH, Young D, et al. Severity classification on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. J Affect Disord. 2013;150(2):384-388.
- Bagby RM, Ryder AG, Schuller DR, Marshall MB. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale: has the gold standard become a lead weight? Am J Psychiatry. 2004;161(12):2163-2177.
- American Psychiatric Association. Handbook of Psychiatric Measures. 2nd ed. 2008.
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