How to Use the Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale

The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) is a self-assessment screening questionnaire. The scoring provides information on the potential presence as well as the severity of anxiety and/or depression disorders. While it is used in hospitals, it is also used in private practices. This scale along with a clinical examination is used for diagnosis.

Things You'll Need

• Hospital anxiety and depression scale
• Grading scale

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Complete the HADS questionnaire. It will take you between two and five minutes to complete. You'll answer seven questions about anxiety and seven about depression.

• 2

  Answer the questions based on your feelings over the past week. For better assessment, your physician may repeat the test at weekly intervals.

• 3

  Answer the questions honestly so that your physician can determine your psychological outlook in terms of your work and/or home life.

• 4

  Share specific details with your physician in terms of your answers to the HADS questionnaire. This will help your doctor provide a clear diagnosis of your mental health state.