Rating Scales in Mental Health

Sajatovic and Ramirez (psychiatry and neurology, Case Western Reserve U.) present mental health clinicians and researchers who use psychometric instruments with information on 119 rating scales organized in 20 categories, focusing on scales that are brief and relatively simple to administer, including those for anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, geriatrics, pediatrics, psychosis, sexual disorders, substance abuse, sleep disorders, quality of life, health care satisfaction and attitude, general health, social/family functioning, and suicide risk. Each scale has a brief overview, general applications, selected psychometric properties, the time needed for completion, and a representative study, but does not include in-depth instructions. An introductory section discusses general concepts in the use, history, and statistical evaluation of scales and rating scale domains. Some sample components are included, as are some full scales. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Martha Sajatovic, M.D., is a professor of psychiatry and neurology at Case Western Reserve University. She is also director of the Neurological Outcomes Center at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and is coeditor of Bipolar Disorder in Later Life, also published by Johns Hopkins. Luis F. Ramirez, M.D., is an associate professor of psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University.