Important Disclaimer
This is a self-report adaptation of a clinician-administered scale. It 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 by calling or texting 988.
What This Assessment Measures
- Apparent and reported sadness
- Inner tension and anxiety
- Reduced sleep
- Reduced appetite
- Concentration difficulties
- Lassitude (physical and mental fatigue)
- Inability to feel (emotional blunting)
- Pessimistic thoughts
- Suicidal thoughts
10
Questions
3–6
Minutes
100%
Confidential
About the MADRS
The MADRS was developed by Stuart Montgomery and Marie Åsberg in 1979 as an alternative to the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. It was specifically designed to be more sensitive to treatment-related changes in depression severity, which has made it the preferred outcome measure in many antidepressant clinical trials.
The MADRS focuses on the core psychological symptoms of depression rather than somatic complaints, which makes it particularly useful for distinguishing depression from physical illness. Each item is rated on a 0-6 scale with defined anchor points at 0, 2, 4, and 6, allowing for nuanced severity assessment.
Originally clinician-administered, this self-report adaptation preserves the scale's structure while allowing individuals to assess their own symptoms. Self-report scores should be interpreted as approximate estimates of clinical severity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MADRS?+
The Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a 10-item measure of depression severity developed in 1979. It is one of the most widely used instruments in clinical trials for antidepressants because it is particularly sensitive to changes in depression during treatment.
How is the MADRS different from the PHQ-9 and HAM-D?+
The PHQ-9 is a brief self-report screener aligned with DSM criteria. The HAM-D is a comprehensive clinician-rated scale including many somatic items. The MADRS focuses specifically on core psychological symptoms of depression and is designed to be most sensitive to treatment-related changes.
Why does each question use a 0–6 scale?+
The 7-point scale (0-6) allows for more nuanced rating of symptom severity than simpler scales. Anchor points are defined at 0 (absent), 2 (mild), 4 (moderate), and 6 (severe), with odd numbers representing intermediate levels.
What is the maximum possible score?+
The maximum score on the MADRS is 60 (10 items × 6 points each). Scores of 0-6 indicate no depression, 7-19 mild, 20-34 moderate, and 35-60 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
- Montgomery SA, Åsberg M. A new depression scale designed to be sensitive to change. Br J Psychiatry. 1979;134:382-389.
- Williams JBW, Kobak KA. Development and reliability of a structured interview guide for the MADRS. Br J Psychiatry. 2008;192(1):52-58.
- Hawley CJ, Gale TM, Sivakumaran T. Defining remission by cut off score on the MADRS. J Affect Disord. 2002;72(2):177-184.
- Carmody TJ, Rush AJ, Bernstein IH, et al. The Montgomery Åsberg and the Hamilton ratings of depression. J Psychiatr Res. 2006;40(8):738-746.
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