Emotional and Mood Assessment Tests

Emotional and Mood Assessment

These tests focus on current emotional states and affective disorders like depression, anxiety, and mood swings.

Beck Depression Inventory – Second Edition (BDI-II)

• Purpose: Measures severity of depressive symptoms.

• Age Range: 13 years and older.

• Format: Self-report; 21 items rated on a 0–3 scale based on the past 2 weeks.

• Measures:

  • Sadness, hopelessness, self-dislike

  • Changes in sleep, appetite, and energy

  • Concentration problems, suicidal thoughts

• Notes: Widely used in both clinical and research settings; quick (5–10 min).

Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)

• Purpose: Measures severity of anxiety symptoms.

• Age Range: 17 years and older.

• Format: Self-report; 21 items rated 0–3 on frequency of symptoms.

• Measures:

  • Physiological anxiety (numbness, sweating, trembling)

  • Cognitive anxiety (fear of losing control, nervousness)

• Notes: Focuses more on physical symptoms than generalized worry.

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)

• Purpose: Clinician-rated assessment of depression severity.

• Age Range: Adults.

• Format: Interview with 17–21 items rated on severity scales.

• Measures:

  • Depressed mood, guilt, agitation

  • Somatic symptoms (insomnia, fatigue, appetite loss)

• Notes: Considered a gold standard in research trials for depression.

Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)

• Purpose: Clinician-rated measure of anxiety.

• Age Range: Adults.

• Format: 14-item interview-based rating scale.

• Measures:

  • Anxious mood, tension, fears

  • Somatic complaints (gastrointestinal, cardiovascular symptoms)

• Notes: Common in medical and psychiatric evaluations.

State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)

• Purpose: Distinguishes between temporary ("state") anxiety and long-term ("trait") anxiety.

• Age Range: Adults and adolescents.

• Format: Self-report; 40 items split into two 20-item scales.

• Measures:

  • State anxiety: current feelings of apprehension

  • Trait anxiety: general tendency toward anxiety

• Notes: Useful for tracking changes over time, such as before and after therapy.

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

• Purpose: Screens for anxiety and depression in medical patients.

• Age Range: Adults.

• Format: Self-report; 14 items (7 for anxiety, 7 for depression).

• Measures: Emotional distress without focusing on somatic symptoms (important for patients with medical conditions).

• Notes: Common in hospital and primary care settings.