ADHD (Adult)
Please note that the resources provided on this page are in English. Some these resources are also available in languages other than English, and can be found on the "Non-English Resources" page of this website.
The Symptom Checklist is an instrument consisting of the eighteen DSM-IV-TR criteria. Six of the eighteen questions were found to be the most predictive of symptoms consistent with ADHD. These six questions are the basis for the ASRS v1.1 Screener and are also Part A of the Symptom Checklist. Part B of the Symptom Checklist contains the remaining twelve questions
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener v1.1 is used in primary care and mental health settings to screen for adult ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
Barkley's Quick Check for Adult ADHD Diagnosis is a new, validated, clinical diagnostic interview to identify adults with ADHD. It comprises 18 questions scored with a Yes or No. The 18 items yield scores in three domains:
Current symptoms of ADHD
Areas of impairment
Childhood symptoms of ADHD
This is a semi-structured clinical interview designed to support healthcare practitioners in assessing ADHD in adults (>16 years).
The Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale Self-Report (WFIRS-S) is a multi-item scale that assesses functional impairment on six clinically relevant domains typically affected in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale Self-Report (WFIRS-S)
ADHD (Youth)
The NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scales are used by health care professionals to help diagnose ADHD in children between the ages of 6- and 12-years.
NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scales
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
This tool is a validated, parent-completed questionnaire that obtains information needed for diagnosis from a parent about core symptoms of ADHD and areas of functional impairment. It includes a screen for comorbidities including externalizing disorders (oppositional-defiant and conduct) and internalizing disorders (depressive and anxiety).
*Also available in the Non-English Resources section
Anxiety Disorders (Adult)
The CUXOS was conceptualized as a general measure of psychic and somatic rather than a disorder specific scale. The scale was developed in this manner so that it would be useful in the management of depressed patients, who often report high levels of anxiety in the absence of a specific anxiety disorder, as well as be useful in the monitoring of patients with diagnosed anxiety disorders.
The Fear Questionnaire (FQ) is a multiple-item questionnaire used to assess anxiety utilizing a Likert scale.
The GAD-7 is useful in primary care and mental health settings as a screening tool and symptom severity measure for the four most common anxiety disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Phobia and PostTraumatic Stress Disorder).
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
The HAM-A was one of the first rating scales developed to measure the severity of anxiety symptoms, and is still widely used today in both clinical and research settings. The scale consists of 14 items, each defined by a series of symptoms, and measures both psychic anxiety (mental agitation and psychological distress) and somatic anxiety (physical complaints related to anxiety).
The Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) is a questionnaire developed for measuring the severity of panic disorder. The clinician-administered PDSS is intended to assess severity and considered a reliable tool for monitoring of treatment outcome. Self-report form of the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS-SR) is used to detect possible symptoms of panic disorder, and suggest the need for a formal diagnostic assessment.
The PDSS consists of seven items, each rated on a 5-point scale, which ranges from 0 to 4. The items assess panic frequency, distress during panic, panic-focused anticipatory anxiety, phobic avoidance of situations, phobic avoidance of physical sensations, impairment in work functioning, and impairment in social functioning. The overall assessment is made by a total score, which is calculated by summing the scores for all seven items. The total scores range from 0 to 28.
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire for Adults (PSWQ) is the measure most frequently used to assess trait pathological worry in adults. The PSWQ is a 16-item self-report questionnaire, derived from a factor analysis of 161 items believed to be related to worry. It is intended to measure an individual’s disposition to worry, as well as the frequency, intensity, and tendency for worry to be generalised.
This rating scale is designed to rate the severity and type of symptoms in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In general, the items depend on the patient's report; however, the final rating is based on the clinical judgment of the interviewer. Rate the characteristics of each item during the prior week up until and including the time of the interview. Scores should reflect the average (mean) occurrence of each item for the entire week.
Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
Anxiety Disorders (Youth)
The children's version of the Y-BOCS, or the Children's Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scales (CY-BOCS), is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder from childhood through early adolescence.
The PSWQ-C measures the tendency of youth to engage in excessive, generalized and uncontrollable worry. The PSWQ-C is a modified version of the PSWQ which was developed to assess worry in adults.
The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) is a 47-item, youth self-report questionnaire with subscales including: separation anxiety disorder (SAD), social phobia (SP), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). It also yields a Total Anxiety Scale (sum of the 5 anxiety subscales) and a Total Internalizing Scale (sum of all 6 subscales). Items are rated on a 4-point Likert-scale from 0 (“never”) to 3 (“always”). Additionally, The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale – Parent Version (RCADS-P) similarly assesses parent report of youth’s symptoms of anxiety and depression across the same six subscales.
Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)
Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale - Parent (RCADS-P)
The Spence Children's Anxiety Scale was developed to assess the severity of anxiety symptoms broadly in line with the dimensions of anxiety disorder proposed by the DSM-IV.
The scale assesses six domains of anxiety including generalized anxiety, panic/agoraphobia, social phobia, separation anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and physical injury fears. It is designed to be relatively easy and quick for children to complete, normally taking only around 10 minutes to answer the questions. Young people are asked to rate the degree to which they experience each symptom on a 4-point frequency scale.
Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) - Child
Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) - Parent
Spence Preschool Anxiety Scale - Parent
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
Depression (Adult)
The CESD-R is a screening test for depression and depressive disorder. The CESD-R measures symptoms defined by the American Psychiatric Association' Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V) for a major depressive episode.
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Rating Scale Revised (CESD-R)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
The Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale (CUDOS) is a brief, self-administered instrument that not only evaluates depressive symptoms but also both functioning and quality of life.
The EDPS was developed to identify women who may have postpartum depression. Each answer is given a score of 0 to 3. The maximum score is 30.
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) has proven useful for many years as a way of determining a patient’s level of depression before, during, and after treatment. It should be administered by a clinician experienced in working with psychiatric patients.
The PHQ-9, a tool specific to depression, simply scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria based on the mood module from the original PRIME-MD.
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
Depression (Youth)
The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) is a 20-item self-report depression inventory with possible scores ranging from 0 to 60.
Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)
The Depression Self-Rating Scale for Children (DSRSC) was developed in 1978 as part of a Masters of Philosophy Thesis at the University of Edinburgh. The scale emerged from a longer inventory of 37 items that had been described in the literature as associated with major depressive syndromes in childhood. The instrument may be used, with other information, in making clinical diagnoses, to identify children with dysphoric mood and to measure clinical change.
The Patient Health Questionnaire Modified for Adolescents (PHQ-A) is a self-administered version of the PHQ-9 which assesses eating, mood, substance use disorders, and anxiety among adolescent patients.
PHQ-9 Modified for Adolescents (PHQ-A)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
Development and Wellbeing
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Personalized pathway recommendations based on student exploration
This short screening — appropriate for ages 13 and up — can help determine if it's time to seek professional help.
National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) Short Screening Tool
The ODARA is a single assessment that is available for use in policing, victim support services, health care, and corrections. It is an actuarial risk assessment, and the information it provides about how an offender’s risk compares with others enables policy-level decisions about how to assign available resources to offenders according to their level of risk.
The RAS was developed through an analysis of recovery stories which resulted in the identification of 39 themes of the subjective experience of recovery. These themes were used to create a 41-item assessment.
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a brief behavioural screening questionnaire about 3-16 year olds. It exists in several versions to meet the needs of researchers, clinicians and educationalists. Each version includes between one and three of the following components:
a) 25 items on psychological attributes.
b) An impact supplement
c) Follow-up questions
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
A source of information on career exploration, training, and jobs. Includes free career and interest assessments.
*Also available in the Non-English Resources section.
Values are an important part of many psychotherapies. This sheet can be used as a short assessment and conversation tool with a client.
Values Clarification Ranking Sheet
*Also available in the Non-English Resources section.
The Wonderlic Personnel Test (also known as the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test, but most often simply referred to as “the Wonderlic”) is a popular 50-question pre-employment assessment.
Severe Mental Illness
The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is a comprehensive 24-item symptom scale. The BPRS is used as part of a clinical interview in which the clinician makes observations among several symptomatic criteria and relies upon patient self-report for other criteria.
Substance Use (Adult)
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-item screening tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess alcohol consumption, drinking behaviors, and alcohol-related problems.
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
The CAGE Adapted to Include Drugs (CAGE-AID) Questionnaire is an adaptation of the CAGE for the purpose of conjointly screening for alcohol and drug problems. The CAGE-AIDS focuses on lifetime use.
The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a 20-item brief screening tool that can be administered by a clinician or self-administered. Each question requires a yes or no response. This tool assesses drug use, not including alcohol or tobacco use, in the past 12 months.
Drug Abust Screening Test (DAST)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
Substance Use (Youth)
The CRAFFT Screening Test is a short clinical assessment tool designed to screen for substance-related risks and problems in adolescents. CRAFFT stands for the key words of the 6 items in the second section of the assessment - Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble.
CRAFFT Screening Test (Clinician-Administered)
CRAFFT Screening Test (Self-Administered)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a 20-item brief screening tool that can be administered by a clinician or self-administered. Each question requires a yes or no response. This tool assesses drug use, not including alcohol or tobacco use, in the past 12 months.
Drug Abust Screening Test (DAST)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources Section.
Suicide (All Ages)
The Columbia Lighthouse Project provides the Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), for use in a multitude of community and healthcare settings. These are places where individuals and teams have the access and opportunity to systematically assess risk and save lives.
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
*Also available in the Non-English Resources section
This quick screener comes from a group called HERE Now (Helping, Engaging, Reconnecting and Educating Now), who responds to the urgent need for teen suicide prevention programs in San Diego County. HERE Now is working to prevent youth suicide, suicidal ideation, and help foster safe school environments through suicide and bullying prevention education.
This resource gives a brief overview on conducting a suicide assessment using a five-step evaluation and triage plan. The five-step plan involves identifying risk factors and protective factors, conducting a suicide inquiry, determining risk level and interventions, and documenting a treatment plan.
Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T) Pocket Guide
Trauma (Adult)
The Life Events Checklist (LEC) is a self-report measure designed to screen for potentially traumatic events in a respondent's lifetime. The LEC assesses exposure to 16 events known to potentially result in PTSD or distress and includes one additional item assessing any other extraordinarily stressful event not captured in the first 16 items.
The PC-PTSD is a 4-item screen that was designed for use in primary care and other medical settings and is currently used to screen for PTSD in veterans at the VA. The screen includes an introductory sentence to cue respondents to traumatic events. The authors suggest that in most circumstances the results of the PC-PTSD should be considered "positive" if a patient answers "yes" to any 3 items. Those screening positive should then be assessed with a structured interview for PTSD. The screen does not include a list of potentially traumatic events.
This Abbreviated PCL-C is a shortened version of the PTSD Checklist – Civilian version (PCL-C). It was developed for use with in primary care or other similar general medical settings. Professional judgment should be used in generalizing it to other settings or if using the Military or Specific versions of the PCL.
Trauma (Youth)
The Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) is a child version of the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PTDS) for adults. This self-report measure assesses the frequency of all DSM-IV-defined PTSD symptoms and was also designed to assess PTSD diagnosis. The first 17 items measure PTSD symptomatology and yield a total Symptom Severity score. Seven additional items assess daily functioning and functional impairment.
Assesses a child’s experience of a variety of potential traumatic events including current and previous injuries, hospitalizations, domestic violence, community violence, disasters, accidents, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Additional questions assess DSM-IV PTSD Criterion A and other additional information about the specifics of the event(s).
Traumatic Events Screening Inventory - Children (TESI-C)
Traumatic Events Screening Inventory - Parent Report Revised (TESI-PRR)