Psychological Distress (K10)

The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10, Kessler, Harvard) is one of the world's most widely used screens for non-specific psychological distress: over the past 4 weeks it assesses the frequency of anxious and depressive experiences (tiredness for no reason, nervousness, hopelessness, restlessness, feeling down, worthlessness). Used in national health surveys and in clinical practice as a quick measure of overall state and the need for help.

Before you start

This is a screening of general anxious-depressive distress over the past 4 weeks, not a diagnosis. A high score points to the need for clinical assessment, not to a specific disorder. A low score in the presence of complaints is not "everything's fine" but a snapshot of the period; go by how you feel as well.