The following is a list tests for mental health, mental disorders, addictions, and neurological
problems. You may find these useful for research, study, counseling and therapy, and personal
exploration. I have tried to restrict this list to tests which I think are important, widely-used,
and grounded in valid and well-established theory. As I come across other useful tests, I will add
them to this list. If you notice that any of the links don't work
(or, worse yet, that any sites require a fee!), please send me a short
note.
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CAUTION The information provided by the following sites is for educational purposes only and does not replace discussions with and/or diagnoses by appropriate healthcare providers. If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties of a psychological nature, see your family physician (alternatively, see the Professional Associations section of my Psychology Resources links, which provides phone numbers of organisations that will be glad to direct you to the appropriate resources). |
[ Depression and Mood Disorders Tests ]
[ Anxiety Disorder Tests | Personality
Disorder Tests ]
[ Eating Disorders Tests | Sexual Disorders Tests
]
[ Addiction Tests | Neurological Disorders Tests
]
[ Other General Mental Health Tests ]
For background information on abnormal psychology, psychopathology, and the mental disorders for
which these tests look, see my Mental
Illness and Mental Disorders Resources. For guidelines on how to examine and think critically
about psychological theories, see the Bolton Institute of Psychology's workbook,
Assessing Theories
in Psychology. For more detailed information on these tests, including psychometric data,
see the Measurement Excellence and
Training Resource Information Center, the
Mental Measurements Yearbook (Buros
Institute), and James Neill's
Summaries of Tools,
Instruments & Questionnaires.
Because this term and the concept behind it is often misused or misunderstood,
it's a good idea to look at a few definitions:
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Beck Depression Inventory* (Quick-Reference List for Doctors)
(in Psychiatry Notebook, Family Practice Notebook)
http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY90.htm
Named after leading US psychiatrist
Aaron T. Beck, this is one of the most widely used tests for measuring the presence of
depressive disorders. It comprises 21 self-report questions and yields a total score between 0 and
60. The score indicates the level of depression: mild, moderate, or severe. Many of the depression
tests listed on this page are based on the BDI (although this is probably the more
thorough test for confirming depression, whereas the other tests are more general "screens"—tests
that signal a person may have depression and should be tested more thoroughly to confirm
it). Although this is a widely-used test, there are different ways of measuring depression; some
people experience and manifest depression in different ways and so different tests look for
different things. Two common criticisms of this test:
*The actual test is copyrighted and cannot be published online.
Depression Screening Test
(Waguih William Ishak, New York University, Department of Psychiatry)
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/odst.html
Designed to give a preliminary idea about the presence of clinical depression symptoms that
indicate need for evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist. If this address does not function,
try to locate the test at
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/public/.
Depression Screening Test
(National Mental Health Association)
http://www.depression-screening.org
Another good, anonymous and confidential depression screening test, provided by the National Mental
Health Association.
Depression Self Quiz (from Pfizer)
http://www.zoloft.com/index.asp?pageid=4
Yet another depression test. Site also explores depression and its manifestations, causes, and
treatment. Worth the visit.
Geriatric Depression Scale
(Jerome Yesavage, Stanford
University)
http://www.stanford.edu/~yesavage/GDS.html (Original long version and newer short version,
available in several languages)
http://www.psychologynet.org/geriatric.html (Original long version)
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~drstall/gds.txt (Original long version)
http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/geratol/GDSdoc.htm (Newer shorter version)
http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mm_geriatrics/tables/33t4.jsp (Newer shorter version)
http://www.miahonline.org/tools/ML/attachments/ML_07_gds.pdf (Newer shorter version)
http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY94.htm (Newer
shorter version)
The best and most popular self-report screening test for depression in older adults and seniors.
The test comprises 30 yes/no questions focussing on cognitive and behavioural aspects of depression
(somatic items are excluded because depressed older adults tend to experience fewer somatic
symptoms than other depressed people). The test should be administered orally. The newer, shorter
version may be more suitable for severely depressed people who are unable to handle taking the
longer test. Note that each version of the scales above different slightly in which scores
correspond with mild, moderate, and severe depression. In general, scoring on the longer version is
as follows: 0-10=no depression; 11-20=mild depression; 21-30=moderate-severe depression. Scoring on
the shorter version is as follows: 0-4=no depression; 5-8=mild depression;8-10=moderate depression;
12-15=severe depression. This scale is in the public domain because it was partly created with use
of federal funds.
Mazmanian Mania-Depression Mood Scale (Quick-Reference Checklist for
Doctors)
(in Psychiatry Notebook, Family Practice Notebook)
http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY100.htm
Allows for rating of mood on a continuum from mania to euthymia to depression:
manic delirium —> manic out of control —> overactive, disinhibited —> agitated loud —> irritable,
aroused —>
euthymic —> withdrawn quiet —> mild depression —> moderate depression —> severe depression —>
severe stupor.
Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Self Report (QIDS-SR)
by John Rush, M.D.)
http://www.depression.com/depression_questionnaire.html
This site includes another depression screening test as well as brief, general background
information on the disorder. Also includes a neat video showing what depression looks like in the
brain.
Anxiety Disorders Screening Test
(Benjamin J. Sadock and Waguih William Ishak,
New York University, Department of Psychiatry)
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/anxiety.html
Gives a preliminary idea about the presence of anxiety symptoms that indicate need for evaluation
by a psychiatrist or psychologist. This test does not replace a formal
psychiatric/psychological evaluation. If this address does not function, try locating the test
at
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/public/.
Anxiety Test - Revised
(from Yahoo Health, Psychology Today, and PsychTests.com)
http://psychologytoday.psychtests.com/yahoo/stress/anxiety_r_access.html
Take this test to determine whether your anxiety is high enough that it's interfering with your
life. Measures over all anxiety as well as level of generalised anxiety, existential anxiety,
physiological anxiety, mood stability, and sleep disturbance. Statistical analysis shows the test
to be valid and reliable; it has been validated on 40,500 individuals.
Panic Disorder Quiz (GlaxoSmithKline)
http://www.paxil.com/test/st_pni.html
Includes a quiz that tests for panic symptoms that indicate need for evaluation by a psychiatrist
or psychologist. This quiz does not replace a formal psychiatric/psychological evaluation.
The rest of the site provides clear and brief introductions to panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, social anxiety disorder, and depression. Areas covered include diagnosis, treatment, and
research. Also includes a neat little Flash animation of how a psychiatric drug (in this case
Paxil) works in the brain.
Panic Disorder Quiz
(David V. Sheehan, University of South Florida)
http://www.paxil.com/test/st_pni.html
Tests for the presence of panic attacks or
Panic Disorder
(see diagnostic criteria).
Short PTSD Rating Interview (SPRINT)
(Jonathan Davidson, M.D., Duke University Medical Center)
http://www.paxil.com/test/st_ptsd.html
Checks for signs and symptoms of Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (see
diagnostic criteria). Includes brief, background information on treatment of PTSD.
Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)
(Jonathan Davidson, M.D., Duke University Medical Center)
http://www.paxil.com/test/st_sai.html
Self test to determine whether you are experiencing social anxiety symptoms that may be indicative
of Social Phobia / Social Anxiety Disorder
(see also diagnostic
criteria). Includes brief, background information on treatment of Social Phobia.
Personality Disorders Screening Test
(Benjamin J. Sadock and Waguih William Ishak,
New York University, Department of Psychiatry)
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/personality.html
Designed to give a preliminary idea of the presence of personality traits that might be associated
with a personality disorder. This test does not replace a formal psychiatric/psychological
evaluation. If this address does not function, try locating the test at
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/public/.
Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating Test
(from Yahoo Health, Psychology Today, and PsychTests.com)
http://psychologytoday.psychtests.com/tests/eating_disorders_access.html
These tests help assess whether your relationship with food is mentally healthy or potentially
damaging. It also screens for the potential presence of specific eating disorders. Statistical
testing on 800 individuals shows the test to be valid and reliable (another validity test is
currently underway).
Eating Disorders Questionnaires
(Center for Eating Disorders of the St. Joseph Medical Center)
https://www.sjmcmd.org/eatingdisorders/ or
http://www.eating-disorders.com
The Center offers one of the most comprehensive eating disorder treatment programs. The website
provides two questionnaires (under "About Eating Disorders") designed to help give a preliminary
idea about the presence of symptoms that indicate the need for evaluation by a psychiatrist or
psychologist. These questionnaires do not replace a formal psychiatric/psychological or medical
evaluation.
Sexual Disorders Screening Test for Men
(Benjamin J. Sadock and Waguih William Ishak,
New York University, Department of Psychiatry)
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/disorder_male.html
Gives a preliminary idea about the presence of sexual symptoms that indicate the need for
evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist. This test does not replace a formal
psychiatric/psychological or medical evaluation. If this address does not function, try
locating the test at
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/public/.
Sexual Disorders Screening Test for Women
(Benjamin J. Sadock and Waguih William Ishak,
New York University, Department of Psychiatry)
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/disorder_women.html
Designed to give a preliminary idea about the presence of sexual symptoms that indicate the need
for evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist. This test does not replace a formal
psychiatric/psychological or medical evaluation. If this address does not function, try
locating the test at
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/public/.
CAGE Test
http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY83.htm
http://www.addiction-medicine.org/files/4doc.html
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/inscage.htm
A popular 4-question self-report quick-screening test for alcohol dependence, aka "alcoholism"
or alcohol addiction (see official diagnostic criteria for
Alcohol
Abuse vs. Alcohol Dependence/Alcoholism; see also
history of these
diagnostic criteria—also available
here). Designed in
1970 by John A. Ewing and Beatrice A. Rouser, the test asks:
If this screening device indicates the possibility of alcoholism, a more thorough test should be used to confirm a diagnosis. Try to MAST, below.
Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST)
http://www2.uchsc.edu/pharm/arc_misc/mast.asp
http://www.humanlinks.com/personal/mast.htm
http://depression.about.com/od/screeningtools/l/blmast.htm
http://www.suavalicious.com/test_mast.htm
http://webpages.charter.net/rfhale/masttest.htm
http://www.addiction-medicine.org/files/5doc.html
This is a very popular and quality assessment tool used to detect or confirm a diagnosis of alcohol
dependence, aka "alcoholism"
or alcohol addiction (see official diagnostic criteria for
Alcohol
Abuse vs. Alcohol Dependence/Alcoholism; see also
history of these
diagnostic criteria—also available
here). The test
comprises 25 yes/no questions that tap into 5 dimensions associated with alcohol dependence: Loss
and Loneliness; Relaxation; Dependence; Loss of Control with Drinking; and Rule Making. Use in
conjunction with the
Michigan
Alcoholism Screening Test—Generic Version (MAST-G) to increase the validity of
your results.
Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test—Generic Version (MAST-G)
http://ncoa.brinkster.net/worddocs/Mast_Questionnaire.doc
"MAST-G is said to be more effective than the unaltered version in identifying problematic
alcohol consumption. Also, [it contains] questions that are more specific to the older adult’s
situation" (Nursing Council on
Alcohol).
Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) (To be administered only by a
doctor)
http://www.alzmndak.org/items/ccnadpdfs/mmseins.pdf (Administration instructions)
http://www.alzmndak.org/items/ccnadpdfs/mmse.pdf
http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mm_geriatrics/figures/38f1.jsp
http://www.fpnotebook.com/NEU72.htm
(Includes norms for different IQ and educational levels)
A widely used test for the evaluation of mental status (including presence of delirium), diagnosis
of dementia (including dementia of the Alzheimer's type; see
official diagnostic
criteria), and assessment of the seriousness of dementia. However, because the test has a large
verbal language component, people with language difficulties may perform poorly on the MMSE,
even though they are fully oriented, have a normal memory, and have no dementia. As well, the test
may not detect beginning dementia in people with a high IQ because such people tend to perform in
the normal range. Similarly, people with a low IQ may score in the dementia range, even though they
do not have dementia. The last link above lists norms for different IQ and education levels.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening Quiz
(from About.com Pediatrics)
http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/sleep/l/blquiz_osa_scng.htm
This test alerts you to the possibility that you may be experiencing the obstructive form of
sleep apnea (see also
here,
here, and
FAQ)—a disorder in
which you briefly and repeatedly stop breathing in your sleep (and then snore loudly and gasp as
you resume breathing) because your upper airway is obstructed. This is a serious condition which
can affect sleep quality, and cause brain damage or even death. (The other kind of apnea is
"central" sleep
apnea, in which breathing is interrupted because of problems at the neurological [brain]
level.)
Symptoms of Brain Tumors Screening Quiz
(from About.com Pediatrics)
http://pediatrics.about.com/library/quiz/blquiz_brain_tumor_scng.htm
"Although parents often first worry that their child has a brain tumor when they have a bad
headache or vomiting, it is important to remember that there are other more common causes for these
symptoms. Still, you don't want to miss the typical symptoms of a brain tumor in children and this
quiz can help you to recognize typical symptoms of children with brain tumors."
Burnout Test I - Revised: Form I for Service Industries
(from Yahoo Health, Psychology Today, and PsychTests.com)
http://psychologytoday.psychtests.com/tests/burnout1_r_access.html
This test detects signs of burnout in people working in service sectors and measures the severity
of symptoms. Provides an over all result with interpretation as well as subscores: emotional
exhaustion; detachment/dehumanization of clients; overwhelmed feeling and loss of interest; general
exhaustion. Offers suggestions on avoiding burnout. Popular for employee testing, counseling and
therapy purposes, and personal interest. "If you work directly with people (clients, patients,
students, customers, etc.), providing any kind of service, hit the 'Take the Test' button".
Statistical analysis shows the test to be valid and reliable; it has been validated on 8,000
individuals.
Burnout Test II - Revised: Form I for Non-service Industries
(from Yahoo Health, Psychology Today, and PsychTests.com)
http://psychologytoday.psychtests.com/tests/burnout2_r_access.html
This test detects signs of burnout in a job that does not involve any interaction with clients and
measures the severity of symptoms. Provides an over all result with interpretation, a well as
subscores: emotional exhaustion; overwhelmed feeling and loss of interest; and general exhaustion.
Offers suggestions on avoiding burnout. Popular for employee testing, counseling and therapy
purposes, and personal interest. Statistical analysis shows the test to be valid and reliable; it
has been validated on 5,000 individuals.
Coping Skills Test - Revised
(from Yahoo Health, Psychology Today, and PsychTests.com)
http://psychologytoday.psychtests.com/tests/coping_skills_r_access.html
Evaluates various attitudes and strategies that contribute to adaptive coping. Provides an over all
score of your ability to cope as well as subscores: adaptive reaction to stress; ability to assess
situation; self-reliance; resourcefulness; adaptability and flexibility; proactive attitude; and
ability to relax. Offers suggestions on improving coping skills in specific areas. Popular for
personal interest, in human resources testing, and for counseling and therapy purposes. Statistical
analysis shows the test to be valid and reliable; it has been validated on 1,000 individuals.
Kids Emotions: Take Your Child's Emotional Pulse
(Katrin Hille, PhD)
http://www.kidsemotions.net
The Kidsemotions questionnaire helps you and your child develop a better understanding of
your child's emotional development. You learn about your child's emotional reactions and how s/he
interacts with others. The test presents a series of questions about scenarios that most children
have experienced or can imagine; your child chooses the option that best describes how s/he would
respond in that situation. After taking the test, detailed feedback, as well as a worksheet for the
next step in your child’s emotional development, are provided.
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