PGDCG&R SEM 1 PAPEIR 5UNIT II - anxiety scales
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)
Developed in 1959 by Dr. M. Hamilton, the scale has proven useful not only in following individual patients but also in research involving many patients.The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) is a widely used and well-validated tool for measuring the severity of a patient's anxiety. It should be administered by an experienced clinician.
The major value of HAM-A is to assess the patient's response to a course of treatment, rather than as a diagnostic or screening tool. By administering the scale serially, a clinician can document the results of drug treatment or psychotherapy.
The HAM-A probes 14 parameters and takes 15-20 minutes to complete the interview and score the results. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, ranging from 0=not present to 4=severe.
