For those who suffer from depression, the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale can be beneficial in determining the severity of their condition. This scale is named after Dr Per Bech, who developed it in the 1970s, and it is one of the recommended tools for measuring depression severity. The Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale consists of 10 items, each rated on a scale from 0 to 6.
The total score is then used to determine the severity of depression, with a score of 50 or above indicating severe depression. While the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale can be beneficial in determining the severity of depression, it is essential to remember that it is not a diagnostic tool and should not be used as such.
APPARENT SADNESS
Apparent sadness scales from 0 to 6 and is the first item on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. A score of 0 indicates that the person appears perfectly normal and happy, while a score of 6 indicates that the person appears extremely sad.
REPORTED SADNESS
Reported sadness also scales from 0 to 6 and is the second item on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. A score of 0 indicates that the person denies feeling any sadness, while a 6th score indicates that the person reports feeling extremely sad.
INNER TENSION
Inner tension is the third item on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and it also scales from 0 to 6. A score of 0 indicates that the person reports no inner tension; for example, the person is not feeling anxious or stressed, while a score of 6 indicates that the person reports feeling extremely tense and anxious.
REDUCED SLEEP
Sleep is the fourth item on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, ranging from 0 to 6. It indicates how well the person has been sleeping, with a score of 0 indicating that the person is sleeping perfectly fine and a score of 6 indicating that the person is barely sleeping.
REDUCED APPETITE
Appetite is highly reduced in those who are depressed and is the fifth item on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. A score of 0 indicates that the person has a normal appetite, while the 6th indicates that the person has no appetite.
CONCENTRATION DIFFICULTIES
Depression can make concentrating difficult, as reflected in the sixth item on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. A score of 0 indicates that the person has no difficulties concentrating, while the 6th indicates that the person is completely unable to concentrate, read or even converse.
LASSITUDE
For those unfamiliar with the term, lassitude is a state of physical or mental weariness, and it is the seventh item on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. A score of 0 indicates that the person does not feel any fatigue or weariness, while a score of 6 indicates that the person is physically and mentally exhausted.
INABILITY TO FEEL
If you’ve ever been depressed, you’ll know that it can be hard to feel any positive emotions or connection to the environment. This is reflected in the eighth item on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, which assesses a person’s ability to feel. A score of 0 indicates that the person feels perfectly normal and can experience all emotions. In contrast, a score of 6 indicates that the person cannot feel any emotions.
PESSIMISTIC THOUGHTS
One of the hallmark symptoms of depression is pessimistic thinking, which is captured in the ninth item on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. A score of 0 indicates that the person’s thoughts are optimistic, while a score of 6 indicates that the person’s thoughts are pessimistic.
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
The final item on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale is suicidal thoughts, which scale from 0 to 6. A score of 0 indicates that the person has no thoughts of suicide, while a score of 6 indicates that the person thinks about suicide constantly and has made concrete plans to commit suicide.
As you can see, the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale is a very comprehensive tool for assessing depression. If a loved one is exhibiting the symptoms mentioned above, it is paramount to seek professional help as soon as possible.
