Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Test
How the Scales are Structured
Who Usually Takes This Test?
See How You Compare
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Example Questions From the Test
- no apparent sadness
- 1
- appears sad or downcast but can be easily cheered up
- 3
- appears sad and unhappy most of the time
- 5
- appears continuously despondent; extremely sad and unhappy
- occasional sadness, related to circumstances
- 1
- feels sad or depressed but is easily distracted
- 3
- pervasive feelings of low mood or gloom; mood is still influenced by external events
- 5
- persistent and unvarying feelings of sadness, despair, or misery
- Normal or increased appetite
- 1
- Slightly reduced appetite
- 3
- No appetite; food seems tasteless
- 5
- Eats only when urged or pressured
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Test - Symptoms and Signs
In clinical settings where a brief clinician-rated measure of depressive symptom severity is needed, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) can support structured assessment and tracking over time. Originally described by Stuart Montgomery and Marie Åsberg, it is typically administered following a focused clinical interview.
The scale consists of 10 items and is designed to quantify the current severity of depressive symptoms and monitor change across visits. Completion generally takes about 2 minutes, depending on the complexity of the presentation and the amount of clarification required.
Scores from the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) are commonly used to support clinical documentation and to complement other diagnostic and treatment-planning information, rather than serving as a standalone diagnosis.