Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
(MADRS)
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Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
1. Apparent sadness
Representing despondency, gloom and despair (more than just ordinary transient low spirits),
reflected in speech, facial expression, and posture. Rate by depth and inability to brighten up.
0 = No sadness.
2. Reported sadness
Representing reports of depressed mood, regardless of whether it is reflected in appearance or not.
Includes low spirits, despondency or the feeling of being beyond help and without hope.
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Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
3. Inner tension
Representing feelings of ill-defined discomfort, edginess, inner turmoil, mental tension mounting to
either panic, dread or anguish. Rate according to intensity, frequency, duration and the extent of
reassurance called for.
4 = Continuous feelings of inner tension or intermittent panic which the patient can only master
with some difficulty.
4. Reduced sleep
Representing the experience of reduced duration or depth of sleep compared to the subject's own
normal pattern when well.
0 = Sleeps as normal.
2 = Slight difficulty dropping off to sleep or slightly reduced, light or fitful sleep.
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Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
5. Reduced appetite
Representing the feeling of a loss of appetite compared with when-well. Rate by loss of desire for food
or the need to force oneself to eat.
6. Concentration difficulties
Representing difficulties in collecting one's thoughts mounting to an incapacitating lack of
concentration. Rate according to intensity, frequency, and degree of incapacity produced.
0 = No difficulties in concentrating.
4 = Difficulties in concentrating and sustaining thought which reduced ability to read or hold a
conversation.
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Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
7. Lassitude
Representing difficulty in getting started or slowness in initiating and performing everyday activities.
4 = Difficulties in starting simple routine activities which are carried out with effort.
8. Inability to feel
Representing the subjective experience of reduced interest in the surroundings, or activities that
normally give pleasure. The ability to react with adequate emotion to circumstances or people is
reduced.
4 = Loss of interest in the surroundings. Loss of feelings for friends and acquaintances.
6 = The experience of being emotionally paralysed, inability to feel anger, grief or pleasure and
a complete or even painful failure to feel for close relatives and friends.
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Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
9. Pessimistic thoughts
Representing thoughts of guilt, inferiority, self-reproach, sinfulness, remorse and ruin.
0 = No pessimistic thoughts.
4 = Persistent self-accusations, or definite but still rational ideas of guilt or sin. Increasingly
pessimistic about the future.
6 = Delusions of ruin, remorse or irredeemable sin. Self- accusations which are absurd and
unshakable.
4 = Probably better off dead. Suicidal thoughts are common, and suicide is considered as
a possible solution, but without specific plans or intenstion.
6 = Explicit plans for suicide when there is an opportunity. Active preparations for suicide.
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