Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale
The Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale (ASRM) is a 5-item self-reported diagnostic scale which can be used to assess the presence and severity manic and hypomanic symptoms, most commonly in patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder.[1]
Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale | |
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Purpose | assessment of manic symptoms |
Effectiveness
The ASRM scale has been shown to be an effective self-reported questionnaire for screening patients with acute mania as well as measuring anti-manic treatment effects.[2][3] Though only a 5-question instrument, the scale's compatibility with the clinician administered Young Mania Rating Scale and the DSM-IV criteria give substantial diagnostic power for such a brief instrument.[2]
Format
The Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale assess differences in "normal" or baseline levels in five subjective and behavioral areas:
- positive mood
- self-confidence
- sleep patterns
- speech patterns and amount
- motor activity
Each of these areas has five statements which correspond to scores 0 through 4; with 0 being unchanged from "normal" or baseline, to 4 being overtly manic thoughts or behavior.[1] The subject is asked to choose one statement from each of the five areas that best describes the way they have been feeling over the past week.[1]
Scoring
Scores above a 5 are indicative of mania, or hypomania, with the severity of symptoms increasing with higher scores.[1] Examining score changes over time is also used to determine the efficacy of a particular treatment in a clinical setting and to qualify whether the severity a manic episode is increasing or decreasing.
References
- Altman EG, Hedeker D, Perterson JL, Davis JM. The Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale. Biol Psychiatry. 1997 Nov 15;42(10):948-55. PMID 9359982
- Altman EG, Hedeker D, Perterson JL, Davis JM. A comparative evaluation of three self-rating scales for acute mania. Biol Psychiatry. 2001 Sep 15;50(6):468-71. PMID 11566165
- Bräuning E.G., Sarkar R. et.al Gender differences in psychotic bipolar mania. Gend Med. 2009 Jul;6(2):356-61. PMID 19682662