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Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS)

Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS) Test

Assess depression severity in about 4 minutes to guide clinical decisions. A 17 item, proven scale makes it easy to track symptom change over time and adjust treatment fast.

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Questions: 174 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

20,731 view

1,782 completions

1,344 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

23/30

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)

Measures the severity of depressive symptoms based on a clinician-rated interview.

None to mild

Moderate to severe

Very severe

0 – 13: None to mild | 14 – 22: Moderate to severe | 23 – 30: Very severe

A score of 23 falls in the Very severe range, indicating a high level of depressive symptom severity on this scale.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Psychiatrists and therapists

46%OF USERS

Use it during a clinical interview to rate depression severity and track response to treatment over time.

Primary care clinicians

34%OF USERS

Use it for quick screening and to decide when to adjust treatment or refer a patient for specialized care.

Clinical researchers

20%OF USERS

Use it to quantify depressive symptoms consistently across study visits and compare outcomes between groups.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
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Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

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Interpretation

You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.

Practical
Recommendations

You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

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Insights

Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

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Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSfD)

Average

11.5

Normal range

7 — 15.9

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this scale measure?

It rates the severity of depressive symptoms based on a structured clinical interview. It produces a numerical score that supports baseline assessment and follow-up over time.

Who should complete it?

It is completed by a trained clinician based on patient responses and clinical observation. It is not intended as a self-report questionnaire.

What topics are covered in the questions?

Items assess mood, guilt, suicidality, anxiety, sleep, appetite or weight change, and psychomotor symptoms. Somatic and general symptoms are also considered.

How long does it take and how many items are scored?

Administration typically takes about 4 minutes. It includes 17 scored items.

How should results be interpreted and used?

Scores indicate symptom severity at the time of the interview and are most useful when compared across visits. Interpretation depends on consistent administration and clinical judgment.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS) Test - Symptoms and Signs

depression

This clinician-administered measure is used to quantify the severity of depressive symptoms during a structured clinical interview. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS) supports systematic assessment at baseline and can be used to monitor symptom change over the course of treatment.

The scale includes 17 items and is typically completed in about 4 minutes. Items sample core affective and somatic features commonly associated with depression, with ratings based on the clinician’s interview and observed presentation.

The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS) was developed by Max Hamilton and is widely used in clinical and research settings; interpretation should consider the patient’s clinical context and the evaluator’s training and consistency in scoring.

Author: Max Hamilton

Literature: Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Psychological Corporation. 1996.; Frank, E., Prien, R. F., Jarrett, R. B., Keller, M. B., Kupfer, D. J., Lavori, P. W., Rush, A. J., & Weissman, M. M. Conceptualization and rationale for consensus definitions of terms in major depressive disorder: Remission, recovery, relapse, and recurrence. Archives of General Psychiatry. 1991.; Hamilton, M. Development of a rating scale for primary depressive illness. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. 1967.

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