February 8, 2023
Top Mental Health Rating Scales to Make Measurement-Based Care Easy
Written by
Dr. Carlene MacMillan, MD
A large body of research has shown that measurement-based care (MBC) can improve clinical outcomes and provide a number of benefits to both providers and patients in mental health care. One way to implement MBC is by using validated rating scales.
Rating scales are effective because they allow you to:
- Combine clinical judgment with quantitative and qualitative measures.
- Gather vital information and personalize treatment plans to meet each patient's specific needs and goals.
- Keep patients engaged and motivated by showing them their progress through visual means, thus empowering them with a sense of accomplishment.
In short, the use of rating scales is essential for providing high-quality, personalized care. Osmind lets you track and visualize patient progress like never before with 50+ automated scales at your fingertips.
This guide covers a list of mental health rating scales for adults and children, including symptoms associated with:
- Broad global measures
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Disability and Activities of Daily Living
- Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
- Mood disorders, including bipolar and depression
- Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Psychosis and Schizophrenia
- Substance Abuse
- Trauma/PTSD
Broad/Quick/Screening/General/Global Rating Scales
CGI: Clinical Global Impression
The CGI provides an overall clinician-determined summary measure that takes into account all available information, including knowledge of the patient's history, psychosocial circumstances, symptoms, behavior, and the impact of the symptoms on the patient's ability to function.
DSM-5 Self-Rated Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure-Adult
A tool in the DSM-5 manual and online at the APA’s website for evaluating symptoms across multiple diagnoses in a comprehensive manner.
Outcome Rating Scale
This scale is used to measure the patient's perspective of change or improvement (or lack thereof) in relation to where they started.
PROMIS-SD
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Short Form assesses multiple physical and mental health domains.
Session Rating Scale
A tool used to rate the overall quality of a therapeutic session.
ADHD Rating Scales
ASRS v1.1: Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Symptom Checklist
This scale is used to assess the symptoms of adult Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
SNAP-IV 18: SNAP-IV Teacher and Parent 18-Item Rating Scale
This scale is used to assess the presence and severity of symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
VADRS: Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale
This scale is used to assess for ADHD symptoms and their effects on behavior and academic performance in children ages 6-12.
Anxiety Rating Scales
Beck Anxiety Inventory
A 21-item self-reported questionnaire used to assess the severity of symptoms of anxiety in adults.
GAD-7: General Anxiety Disorder-7
This scale is used to assess the severity of generalized anxiety disorder.
HAM-A: Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale
This scale is used to assess the severity of anxiety in individuals.
PAS: Panic and Agoraphobia Scale
A self-report questionnaire that assesses the severity of panic disorder symptoms, including agoraphobia.
SCARED-Child: Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Disorders, Child Version
This scale is used to assess the presence and severity of anxiety disorders in children.
Severity Measure for Panic Disorder
A self-reported questionnaire used to assess the severity of panic disorder symptoms in adults.
SM-GAD: Severity Measure for Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Adult (SM-GAD)
A self-reported questionnaire used to assess the severity of symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in adults.
Depression / Bipolar / Mood Disorders Rating Scales
ASMR: Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale
Used to measure the severity of mania symptoms in people with bipolar disorder.
EPDS: Edinburgh Perinatal/Postnatal Depression Scale
This scale is used to assess the severity of depression in perinatal and postnatal women.
FIBSER: Frequency, Intensity, Burden of Side effects Rating
This is a 3-item scale to assess side effects from antidepressant treatment that was used in the STAR*D trial.
HAM-D: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
A 17-item clinician-rated scale used to assess the severity of depression symptoms.
MADRS: Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale
A widely used 10-item assessment tool that measures the severity of symptoms of depression. Often used in clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of antidepressant medications.
Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
A self-administered questionnaire used to screen for bipolar disorder.
Mood Score (1-10 rating)
This scale is used to assess the severity of mood symptoms in individuals, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.
PHQ-4: Patient Health Questionnaire-4
This scale is used to assess the presence and severity of depression and anxiety in individuals.
PHQ-8: Patient Healthcare Questionnaire-8
A self-assessment tool used to screen for depression in adults. It consists of eight questions based on the nine criteria for major depressive disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
PHQ-8 vs PHQ-9:
The PHQ-8 is a shorter version of the PHQ-9, which includes an additional question on suicidal ideation. So, it can be used in place of the PHQ-9 in situations where ongoing remote monitoring of suicide risk is not feasible.
The PHQ-8 has been shown to have comparable accuracy to the PHQ-9 in identifying depression, making it a useful tool for screening in clinical settings or research studies where time constraints may be a concern.
PHQ-9: Patient Health Questionnaire-9T
This scale is used to assess the severity of depression in individuals.
Quick Inventory of Depression Symptomatology (QIDS)
A 16-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the severity of depression symptoms.
SHAPS: Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale
The Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale assesses an individual's level of pleasure or enjoyment in life and can assess for the degree of anhedonia someone is experiencing.
Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)
An 11-item clinician-rated scale used to assess the severity of symptoms of mania in patients with bipolar disorder.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Rating Scales
MSI-BPD: McLean Screening Instrument for BPD
This scale is used to assess the presence of symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
ZAN-BPD: Zanarini Rating Scale for Borderline Personality Disorder
This scale is used to assess severity and change in BPD symptoms over time.
Disability Rating Scales
Katz ADL: Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living
This scale is used to assess the level of independence in activities of daily living in individuals.
NDI: Neck Disability Index
This scale is used to assess the severity of neck pain and disability in individuals.
PEG: Pain, Enjoyment, General Activity Scale Assessing Pain Intensity and Interference
This scale is used to assess the severity of pain and its impact on an individual's enjoyment of life and general activities.
Vineland-3: Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
This is a scale used to measure adaptive behavior and support the diagnosis of intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and developmental delays.
WHODAS 2.0: World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0
This scale is used to assess the impact of physical and mental health conditions on an individual's daily functioning.
WSAS: Work and Social Adjustment Scale
This scale is used to assess the impact of psychiatric symptoms on an individual's work and social functioning.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Altered States of Consciousness Scales
CADSS-6: Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale (6 question version)
This scale is used to assess the presence and severity of dissociative symptoms in individuals.
CADSS: Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale
This scale is used to assess the presence and severity of dissociative symptoms.
MOAA/S: Modified Observer’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale
This scale is used to assess the level of alertness and sedation of an individual.
Psychosis and Schizophrenia Disorders Rating Scales
Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)
A rating scale used to assess the presence and severity of abnormal involuntary movements, commonly associated with antipsychotic medication.
BPRS: Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (18-item version)
This is a clinician-administered scale designed to assess positive, negative, and affective symptoms of individuals who have psychotic disorders.
Clinician-Related Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity (CRDPSS)
A rating scale used to assess the severity of psychotic symptoms in patients with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.
Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS)
A rating scale used to assess extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), such as muscle rigidity, tremors, and dyskinesia, commonly associated with antipsychotic medication.
Trauma/PTSD Rating Scales
ACE: Adverse Childhood Experiences
This scale assesses the presence and severity of adverse experiences in a person's childhood, such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.
LEC-5: Life Events Checklist for DSM-5: standard self-report version
This scale is used to assess the presence and severity of stressors in an individual's life.
National Stressful Events Survey PTSD Short Scale (NSESSS)
A tool used to screen for symptoms of PTSD in the aftermath of a traumatic event.
NIH-HEALS: National Institute of Health - Healing Experience of All Life Stressors
This scale is used to assess the impact of life stressors on an individual's physical and mental health.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
A tool used to assess symptoms of PTSD according to the DSM-5 criteria.
Resilience Questionnaire
This scale is used to assess an individual's level of resilience, or their ability to cope with and adapt to stress and adversity.
Substance Use Rating Scales
AUDIT
A screening tool for alcohol-related problems.
DAST-10: Drug Abuse Screening Test
This scale is used to assess the presence and severity of drug abuse or addiction.
CAGE: Questions for Alcohol Use
A four-question screening tool for alcohol use disorders, where each “yes” answer indicates increasing likelihood of problematic drinking.
CIWA-AR
The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Revised assesses severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
COWS: The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale
Measures symptoms of opiate withdrawal.
NIDA Drug Use Screening Tool: Quick Screen
A tool used to screen for drug use, including abuse and dependence, in patients.
Opioid Risk Tool
A tool used to assess the risk of developing opioid use disorder, including abuse and dependence, in patients.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Rating Scales
Sleep Disorders Rating Scales
ESS: Epworth Sleepiness Scale
This scale is used to assess the severity of sleepiness or fatigue in individuals.
Jenkins Sleep Scale
This is a scale used to assess sleep quality in individuals. It is based on a series of questions about sleep patterns, including the length of time it takes to fall asleep, the number of awakenings during the night, and the level of alertness upon waking.
Quality of Life and Meaning in Life Scales
ISEL: Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, General Population
This scale is used to assess the level of perceived social support in individuals.
MEQ30: Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (30-item version)
This scale is used to assess the presence and intensity of mystical experiences in individuals.
MLQ: Meaning in Life Questionnaire
This scale is used to assess the presence and meaning of life in individuals.
Nature Relatedness Scale
Measures a person's sense of connection to nature and the natural world.
Pain Scales
Pain Score (1-10 rating)
This scale is used to assess the severity of pain in individuals, with higher scores indicating greater severity
Brief Pain Inventory
A self-administered questionnaire to assess the intensity and impact of pain in patients.
Suicidal Ideation and Safety Assessment Scales
C-SSRS: Columbia Suicidality Severity Rating Scale: Screener-Recent-Self-Report
This scale is used to assess the severity of suicidality in individuals.
CHRT-SR12: The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale
Screens for suicide risk in individuals.
LRAMP: Linehan Risk Assessment and Management Protocol
The LRAMP is an empirically supported, comprehensive framework used to assess suicide risk and protective factors, and provide a guide for the therapist to consider reasonable options for intervening on suicidal behavior.
Conclusion: How to use rating scales to keep patients engaged and improve outcomes (in less time)
Psychiatry will increasingly rely on data-driven insights through measurement-based care (MBC), and many patients find it a valuable addition to their treatment journey.
Osmind lets you send 50+ rating scales automatically, and patients can complete them within our secure mobile app. This allows you to visualize your patient’s progress at a glance—like a pulse check for any patient at any given time. You can be notified about patients who haven’t engaged in a while so you can reach out and offer more of a safety net.
To learn how to streamline measurement-based care (MBC) in your practice, feel free to book a demo with us—we’re here to help.
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