Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) — Mental Health Screening
Likert options measuring depression, anxiety and stress across three subscales.
The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) is a validated, brief mental health screening tool designed to measure symptoms across three key domains: depression, anxiety, and stress. This online DASS-21 quiz uses Likert-style response options to capture how often you've experienced specific feelings or physical symptoms over the past week. It is ideal for anyone seeking a quick, reliable snapshot of current emotional health and for tracking changes over time.
By taking this DASS-21 mental health assessment, you'll receive a clear, scored result for each subscale—depression, anxiety and stress—so you can better understand symptom severity and take actionable next steps. The DASS-21 is widely used by clinicians and researchers; this version is optimized for clarity and usability, and includes guidance on interpretation, recommended resources, and suggestions for when to seek professional help.
I found it hard to wind down.
How often in the past week did you feel unable to relax or calm yourself?
I was aware of dryness of my mouth.
Physical symptom often associated with anxiety or nervousness.
I couldn't seem to experience any positive feeling at all.
Measure of anhedonia or lack of positive affect.
I experienced breathing difficulty (e.g., breathlessness, excessively rapid breathing).
Physical symptom typically associated with anxiety or panic.
I found it difficult to work up the initiative to do things.
Difficulty initiating activities or low motivation.
I tended to over-react to situations.
Frequent extreme or excessive reactions to everyday events.
I experienced trembling (e.g., in the hands).
Noticeable physical shaking or tremors linked to anxiety.
I felt that I was using a lot of nervous energy.
Feeling keyed-up, restless, or drained by nervous tension.
I was worried about situations in which I might panic and make a fool of myself.
Fear of losing control or embarrassing oneself in public.
I felt that I had nothing to look forward to.
Sense of hopelessness or lack of future-oriented positive expectations.
I found myself getting agitated.
Feeling easily irritated, restless or unable to sit still.
I found it difficult to relax.
Inability to unwind or achieve a calm state.
I felt down-hearted and blue.
Direct measure of low mood and sadness.
I was intolerant of anything that kept me from getting on with what I was doing.
Impatience or intolerance interfering with everyday tasks.
I felt I was close to panic.
Feeling on the verge of losing control or having a panic attack.
I was unable to become enthusiastic about anything.
Reduced enthusiasm or diminished interest in activities.
I felt I wasn't worth much as a person.
Feelings of low self-worth or self-esteem loss.
I felt that I was rather touchy.
Easily upset or sensitive to minor irritations.
I was aware of the action of my heart in the absence of physical exertion (e.g., sense of heart rate increase).
Palpitations or increased heart awareness often linked to anxiety.
I felt scared without any good reason.
Unexplained feelings of fear or dread.
I felt that life was meaningless.
Feelings that life lacks purpose—often associated with depressive symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
The DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales) is a 21-item self-report questionnaire that screens for symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. It is suitable for adults seeking a quick assessment of current emotional symptoms, for self-monitoring, and for use by clinicians as a screening or tracking tool. It is not a clinical diagnosis by itself.
Each item is rated 0–3. The quiz returns raw subscale totals (each 0–21). To compare with standard severity categories, multiply each subscale raw score by 2 to get a scaled score (0–42), then use the DASS severity ranges (normal, mild, moderate, severe, extremely severe) for each subscale. See the results section for specific cutoff ranges.
No. The DASS-21 is a validated screening and monitoring instrument that identifies symptom severity but does not provide a clinical diagnosis. If your scores indicate moderate to extremely severe symptoms, consult a qualified mental health professional for a full assessment.
You can retake the DASS-21 regularly to track changes—common intervals are weekly, biweekly or monthly depending on your needs or treatment plan. Retest after starting a new treatment, therapy, or a significant lifestyle change to monitor progress.
If your results fall in the severe or extremely severe range, contact a mental health professional promptly. If you are at immediate risk of harming yourself or others, seek emergency services right away. Severe symptoms often benefit from timely clinical intervention such as psychotherapy, medication evaluation, or crisis support.
Yes. For mild to moderate symptoms, evidence-based self-help strategies include establishing regular sleep and exercise routines, practicing relaxation and breathing techniques, using structured cognitive-behavioral self-help programs, maintaining social connections, and reducing alcohol or substance use. If symptoms persist, seek professional guidance.
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