Description

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) is one of the most widely used tools for assessing the severity of depression in adults. It was developed by Max Hamilton in 1960 and consists of 17 items that evaluate various symptoms of depression, such as mood, feelings of guilt, sleep disturbances, appetite, and physical activity.

Analysis and Use of Data

The HAMD-17 is used both in clinical practice and research to assess the intensity of depression and the patient’s response to treatment. The clinical assessor scores each item based on the severity of symptoms experienced during the previous days or weeks. The scale’s data can be used to identify key depressive symptoms, evaluate patient progress during treatment, and determine the need for further therapeutic intervention.

Purpose

The goal of the HAMD-17 is to objectively measure the severity of depressive symptoms to guide therapeutic decisions and assess the effectiveness of treatment. It serves as a means of monitoring the progression of depression in patients over time.

Scoring

The HAMD-17 scoring ranges from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating greater severity of depression. Each item on the scale is rated from 0 (absence of symptom) to 4 (severe presence of symptom). Generally, a total score of:
0-7 indicates no depression,
8-16 indicates mild depression,
17-23 indicates moderate depression,
≥ 24 indicates severe depression.

Bibliography

Hamilton, M. (1960). A rating scale for depression. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 23(1), 56-62.
Zimmerman, M., Martinez, J. H., Young, D., Chelminski, I., & Dalrymple, K. (2013). Severity classification on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Journal of Affective Disorders, 150(2), 384-388.
Williams, J. B. W. (1988). A structured interview guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Archives of General Psychiatry, 45(8), 742-747.