The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a widely used, evidence-based mental health screening questionnaire designed to detect symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults. Simple and quick to complete, this printable self-assessment helps individuals reflect on their emotional wellbeing over the past week and supports professionals in identifying potential mental health concerns.
HADS includes 14 questions—7 relating to anxiety and 7 to depression—scored on a 4-point scale. It provides a clear, structured way to monitor emotional health in clinical, community, or personal use settings.
Key features of the HADS form:
Questions assess feelings such as restlessness, low mood, enjoyment, panic, worry, and motivation
Easy-to-use tick-box format with clear scoring guidance
Results categorised into:
0–7: Normal range
8–10: Borderline abnormal
11–21: Clinically significant (abnormal)
Useful for identifying whether symptoms may require further support or assessment
Ideal for use by:
GPs, nurses, therapists and mental health professionals
Counselling services, IAPT teams and NHS trusts
Support workers and wellbeing practitioners in community settings
Individuals or carers tracking emotional wellbeing at home
Workplace wellbeing teams and mental health awareness programmes
This free anxiety and depression screening tool is especially valuable for early detection, ongoing monitoring, and supporting conversations around mental health in a sensitive, structured way.
