MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING

DASS-21 Clinical Pro

Psychometric Scoring & Severity Classification HUD

DEPRESSION ITEMS

D1. No positive feelings
D2. Hard to get going
D3. Nothing to look forward to
D4. Sad and depressed
D5. Lost interest
D6. Not worth much
D7. Life not worthwhile

ANXIETY ITEMS

A1. Dry mouth
A2. Breathing difficulty
A3. Trembling
A4. Panic situations
A5. Close to panic
A6. Heart awareness
A7. Scared no reason

STRESS ITEMS

S1. Hard to wind down
S2. Over-react
S3. Nervous energy
S4. Agitated
S5. Hard to relax
S6. Intolerant
S7. Touchy

Complete items to visualize
Psychometric Profile

CHARTING NOTE

Clinical Significance

The DASS-21 is a suite of three self-report scales designed to measure the negative emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress. It is used globally to track patient progress and response to treatment in clinical settings.

Scoring & Normalization

Since the DASS-21 is a short-form instrument, the final score for each subscale is **multiplied by 2** to calculate the final total. This allows the results to be compared against the original DASS-42 normative data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can DASS-21 diagnose clinical depression?

No. The DASS-21 is a screening tool used to assess symptom severity. A formal diagnosis must be made by a qualified mental health professional.

What is the look-back period for this test?

The test specifically asks the patient to rate their feelings over the **past week** to capture a current emotional snapshot.

Clinical Bibliography
  • 1. Lovibond SH, Lovibond PF. Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. 1995.
  • 2. Henry JD, Crawford JR. The short-form DASS-21 normative data. Br J Clin Psychol. 2005.
Dr. Nikhil Mahajan, PT
MPT-Ortho | Clinical Reviewer

CLINICAL RESOURCE