Using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to Screen for Psychiatric Disorders in People Presenting With Deliberate Self-Harm

In-patients referred to a deliberate self-harm team were asked to complete the HAD questionnaire & diagnoses were made using the SCID. The total prevalence of psychiatric disorder by DSM-III criteria was 54%. The HAD performed well as a screening instrument; a threshold score of 8 gave a sensitivity of 88% & a positive predictive value of 80%; its use by non-psychiatrists to detect depressive disorder in patients presenting with deliberate self-harm is to be recommended. (16 refs.)