HAMILTON ANXIETY RATING SCALE

Provided by Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

The responses to the following questions may indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder. This is simply a screening tool. Only a qualified health professional can diagnose an anxiety disorder. This tool should not be used in place of a consultation with a health professional. Regardless of the results of this screen, if you have any concerns, see your doctor or mental health professional.

This screening is not a substitute for professional care. DBSA does not endorse or recommend the use of any specific treatment. If you or someone you know has thoughts of death or suicide, contact a health care professional, clergy member, loved one, friend, crisis line such as 1-800-273-TALK, or call 911 immediately.

Some of the words used in this screener may be unfamiliar to you. For many of these words DBSA has provided definitions. To see the definition, click on the underlined word. If you have a pop-up blocker, be sure to disable it before clicking on the word.

Please use the following rating scale to respond to each listed symptom.

Symptom Rating:
0 - absent
1 - mild
2 - moderate
3 - severe
4 - incapacitating

Symptom Rating
1. Anxious mood
  • worries
  • anticipates worst
    • 2. Tension
  • startles
  • cries easily
  • restless
  • trembling
    • 3. Fears
  • fear of the dark
  • fear of strangers
  • fear of being alone
  • fear of animals
    • 4. Insomnia
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • difficulty with nightmares
    • 5. Intellectual
  • poor concentration
  • memory impairment
    • 6. Depressed Mood
  • decreased interest in activities
  • anhedonia
  • insomnia
    • 7. Somatic complaints - Muscular
  • muscle aches or pains
  • bruxism
    • 8. Somatic complaints - Sensory
  • tinnitus
  • blurred vision
    • 9. Cardiovascular Symptoms
  • tachycardia
  • palpitations
  • chest pain
  • sensory of feeling faint
    • 10. Respiratory Symptoms
  • chest pressure
  • choking sensation
  • shortness of breath
    • 11. Gastrointestinal Symptoms
  • dysphagia
  • nausea or vomiting
  • constipation
  • weight loss
    • 12. Genitourinary Symptoms
  • urinary frequency or urgency
  • dysmenorrhea
  • impotence
    • 13. Autonomic Symptoms
  • dry mouth
  • flushing
  • pallor
  • sweating
    • 14. Behavior
  • fidgets
  • tremor
  • paces
    • TOTAL SCORE:

    Online programming (c) 2005 Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. All rights reserved.

    The Hamilton Anxiety Scale was authored by Max Hamilton. It is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission.
    Reference: Guy, William, "048 HAMA Hamilton Anxiety Scale," ECDEU Assessment Manual, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service - Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, Rev. 1976, pp. 194-198.