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]

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:

1. positive mood
2. self-confidence
3. sleep patterns
4. speech patterns and amount
5. 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.^{[citation needed]}