Description
CET’s clinical assessment tools were designed and produced by the Clinical Chronobiology and Biometrics Research groups at Columbia University’s Psychiatric Institute. The instruments provide state-of-the-art structured interviews for clinicians to rate the severity of depression (including atypical symptoms) and hypomania, and self-rating versions for patients to complete for clinician review. In addition, there is a diagnostic interview for atypical depression keyed to DSM criteria for atypical features, and a paper-and-pencil version of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire also presented in an on-line automated version on this website. For patients considering light therapy, there is a structured eye-screening chart for completion by optometrists and ophthalmologists, and a sleep log to help in specifying the prescribed interval for light therapy. For use after treatment begins, we offer a comprehensive questionnaire for monitoring side effects.
Translated versions of SIGH-SAD-SA, MEQ-SA, PIDS-SA (see Packet Content, below) are also available for free download in the Self-Assessment section of this website: Danish, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese). The SIGH-ADS is also available in German: you can email for a copy. Please inquire about preparing additional translations by the author-approved protocol.
Personal Inventory for Depression and SAD (PIDS)
Contains scoring and interpretation guide. Surveys the presence of symptoms of depression, using a validated diagnostic algorithm (PRIME-MD). Also probes for seasonal pattern of the symptoms and presence of atypical neurovegetative features. An interpretation guide is included for use by clinicians in patient pre-screening. Can be completed in the waiting room or sent to prospective patients.
Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ)
Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) of Horne and Östberg (revised for smooth presentation in “American English”). As illustrated by the feedback section of the automated version (AutoMEQ) on this website, the instrument is used to gauge circadian rhythm phase (in a reflection of melatonin onset) and derive the optimum timing for morning light therapy.
Personal Inventory for Depression and SAD: Self-Assessment Version (PIDS-SA)
Contains scoring and interpretation guide, to help determine whether a clinical consultation for SAD is indicated.
Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire: Self-Assessment Version (MEQ-SA)
Contains score interpretation guide and circadian phase estimate for timing of light therapy.
Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale with Atypical Depression Supplement (SIGH-ADS)
Designed for general use in depression research and clinical evaluation, regardless of seasonality. The questions have greater specificity those in the predecessor SIGH-SAD (also included) and the flow of questioning is distinctly smoother. The SIGH-ADS rates the severity of depressive symptoms in terms of Hamilton’s 17- and 21-item depression scales and the NIMH/Columbia addendum of eight atypical symptoms.
Daily Sleep Log and Mood/Energy Ratings
Daily Sleep Log and Mood/Energy Ratings for monitoring pre- and post-treatment patterns, and determining and adjusting the timing of light treatment for optimum response. At Columbia’s Center for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms, all inpatients and outpatients maintain this log for weekly review of progress, side effects (such as fractionated sleep and early-morning awakening), compliance/adherence and scheduling.
Self-Report Summary [Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale—Seasonal Affective Disorder Version. Self-Rating Version (SIGH-SAD-SR)]
Contains scoring and interpretation guide for clinicians. This version can be used as a stand-alone instrument for outpatient monitoring, or for reliability checks against interviewer ratings on the SIGH-SAD.
Self-Report Summary [Hypomania Interview Guide (including Hyperthymia)—Current Assessment Version. Self-Rating Version (HIGH-C-SR)]
Contains combined instruction guide for the HIGH instruments. Especially useful for outpatient monitoring.
Diagnostic Interview for Atypical Depression (DIAD)
With instruction and interpretation guide. The DIAD is a structured interview that allows the rater to assess atypical symptoms of depression based on both DSM-IV and Columbia criteria. This instrument was designed to ease questioning on the sensitive issue of rejection sensitivity and to increase the specificity and reliability of the diagnosis.
Hypomania Interview Guide (including Hyperthymia)—Current Assessment Version (HIGH-C)
The HIGH-C measures the pattern and severity of symptoms that characterize hyperthymia, hypomania, and mania. A subset of the items can be used to provide a provisional DSM-IV diagnosis of current Hypomanic Episode or lifetime Bipolar II disorder.
Depression Self-Assessment inventory (SIGH-SAD-SA)
Scoring algorithm generates detailed scale and symptom assessment for self-monitoring of current state or preparation for office visits.
Hypomania Interview Guide (including Hyperthymia)—Retrospective Assessment Version (HIGH-R)
Contains DSM-IV scoring algorithm and interpretation guide. The HIGH-R provides a provisional lifetime diagnosis irrespective of current clinical state.
Systematic Assessment for Treatment Emergent Effects (SAFTEE)
Self-Rating Version. A checklist adaptation of the comprehensive NIMH interview, used to detect and monitor side effects of light, negative air ion or drug treatment.
The Columbia Eye Check-Up for Users of Light Treatment
A structured chart for ophthalmologists and optometrists to determine whether there are any contraindications for use of bright light therapy or periodic monitoring is indicated.
