Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
The Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a clinician-administered scale developed in 1979 by Stuart Montgomery and Marie Åsberg to assess the severity of depressive episodes. It consists of 10 items—including apparent sadness, inner tension, sleep and appetite changes, concentration problems, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimism, and suicidal thoughts—each scored from 0 to 6, yielding a total score range from 0 to 60.
The MADRS is praised for its sensitivity to change, making it particularly useful in treatment settings and clinical trials . It outperforms older tools like the Hamilton scale in tracking treatment response, while maintaining strong reliability and validity. Typical severity cut-offs are:
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0–6: normal/absent depression
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7–19: mild
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20–34: moderate
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35–60: severe
A structured interview version called SIGMA, introduced in 2008, enhances scoring consistency across clinicians.
How to take the assessment
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Administered by a professional – conduct a clinical interview lasting ~20–60 minutes
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Rate each item 0–6 based on your observations and reports from the past week (0 = none, 6 = extreme). Even scores (2, 4, 6) have descriptions; odd scores (1, 3, 5) reflect intermediate severity .
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Sum the scores for all 10 items to get a total.
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Interpretation:
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0–6: no symptoms
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7–19: mild
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20–34: moderate
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35–60: severe youtube.com+2strokengine.ca+2en.wikipedia.org+2fda.gov+9en.wikipedia.org+9strokengine.ca+9
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Take the test online
You can complete a self-administered version (for informational purposes) through Psychology Tools, although clinician guidance is recommended for accuracy:
👉 Take the MADRS test here
Quick tips:
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The test asks how you’ve been feeling over the past week.
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For each item, select the severity level that best matches your experience.
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Honest self-reporting helps approximate your depression severity, though reports from others and professional insight can add value.
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Scores may help monitor changes over time or support discussions with a mental health professional.
Responses