Depression Rating Scale

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The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) is a commonly used tool to assess the severity of depression. It consists of 21 items that assess various symptoms of depression, including mood, guilt, suicidal ideation, and physical symptoms such as sleep and appetite disturbances. Each item is rated on a scale from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms. The HAM-D is typically administered by a trained clinician or researcher and takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. It is often used in clinical trials to assess the efficacy of treatments for depression and can also be used to monitor the course of the illness over time.

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