"Assessing Anxiety and Depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)"

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a widely used assessment tool for detecting anxiety and depressive disorders in non-psychiatric hospital settings. It comprises 14 items divided into two subscales: anxiety and depression. Each item is rated on a four-point scale, allowing patients to report their symptoms over the past week. Clinicians and researchers value HADS for its ease of administration and scoring, making it a practical choice for assessing mental health in various clinical populations. The scale's focus on emotional distress rather than physical symptoms reduces the risk of confounding with physical illness, enhancing its utility in medical settings. As a result, HADS is often used in research and clinical practice to identify patients who may benefit from further mental health evaluation or intervention, ultimately informing treatment decisions and improving patient outcomes. Its application is particularly relevant in settings where early detection of anxiety and depression can lead to more effective management and better patient care.