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Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
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About Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
Scale Name
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
Author Details
John E. Overall and Lyman A. Gorham
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is a 24-item rating scale that was developed in 1962 by John E. Overall and Lyman A. Gorham. It is one of the oldest and most widely used scales to measure psychiatric symptoms, particularly in psychosis.
The BPRS was developed in response to the need for a reliable and valid measure of psychiatric symptoms that could be used to assess the severity of symptoms at a single point in time or to track changes in symptoms over time. The scale was also designed to be relatively easy to administer and score.
The BPRS assesses a wide range of psychiatric symptoms, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Disorganized thinking
- Motor retardation
- Excitation
- Suspiciousness
- Hostility
- Tension
- Uncooperativeness
- Mannerisms and posturing
- Blunted affect
- Grandiosity
- Somatic concern
- Disorientation
Each item on the BPRS is rated on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 indicating “not present” and 7 indicating “extremely severe.” The total score for the BPRS can range from 24 to 168, with lower scores indicating less severe psychopathology.
The BPRS is typically administered by a clinician who interviews the patient and observes their behavior. The clinician then rates each symptom according to its severity. The BPRS can be used to assess symptoms at a single point in time or to track changes in symptoms over time.
The BPRS has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of psychiatric symptoms. It is also relatively easy to administer and score. As a result, the BPRS is a popular tool for use in clinical research and practice.
The BPRS is used in a variety of settings, including:
- Psychiatric hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Research studies
- Forensic evaluations
The BPRS can be used to:
- Assess the severity of psychiatric symptoms
- Track changes in symptoms over time
- Compare the severity of symptoms between different groups of patients
- Assess the effectiveness of new treatments for psychiatric disorders
The BPRS is a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers who are interested in assessing and tracking psychiatric symptoms. It is a reliable and valid measure that is relatively easy to administer and score.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is typically administered by a clinician who interviews the patient and observes their behavior. The interview should be conducted in a quiet, private room where the clinician has a good view of the patient. The clinician should begin by introducing themselves and explaining the purpose of the interview. The clinician should then ask the patient about their symptoms and their current mental state. The clinician should also observe the patient’s behavior, including their speech, affect, and mannerisms.
Once the interview is complete, the clinician should rate each item on the BPRS according to its severity. The BPRS is rated on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 indicating “not present” and 7 indicating “extremely severe.” The clinician should rate each item based on the patient’s symptoms and behavior during the interview.
The BPRS can be administered in 20-30 minutes. However, the amount of time required may vary depending on the patient’s cooperation and the clinician’s experience.
Here are some tips for administering the BPRS:
- Be familiar with the BPRS items and their definitions.
- Start by asking the patient general questions about their symptoms and mental state.
- As the interview progresses, ask more specific questions about each item on the BPRS.
- Observe the patient’s behavior and rate each item based on their symptoms and behavior during the interview.
- Be consistent in your ratings.
Reliability and Validity
The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is a reliable and valid measure of psychiatric symptoms.
Reliability refers to the consistency of the scale’s ratings. The BPRS has been shown to have good inter-rater reliability, meaning that different clinicians rate the same patient’s symptoms similarly. The BPRS also has good test-retest reliability, meaning that a patient’s BPRS score is likely to be similar if they are re-rated on the same scale at a later time.
Validity refers to the extent to which the scale measures what it is supposed to measure. The BPRS has been shown to be valid for measuring a wide range of psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety, depression, hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, motor retardation, excitation, suspiciousness, hostility, tension, uncooperativeness, mannerisms and posturing, blunted affect, grandiosity, somatic concern, and disorientation.
The BPRS has also been shown to be valid for differentiating between different psychiatric disorders. For example, patients with schizophrenia typically have higher BPRS scores than patients with depression.
Available Versions
24-Items
Reference
Overall, J. E., & Gorham, D. R. (1962). The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Psychological Reports, 10, 799–812. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1962.10.3.799
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS)?
A 24-item scale that assesses a wide range of psychiatric symptoms.
What is the BPRS used for?
To assess the severity of psychiatric symptoms, track changes in symptoms over time, and compare the severity of symptoms between different groups of patients.
How is the BPRS administered?
By a clinician who interviews the patient and observes their behavior.
How is the BPRS scored?
Each item is rated on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 indicating “not present” and 7 indicating “extremely severe.”
What are the benefits of using the BPRS?
It is a reliable and valid measure of psychiatric symptoms, relatively easy to administer and score, and assesses a wide range of symptoms.
What are the limitations of using the BPRS?
It can be subjective and time-consuming to administer, it is not specific to any particular psychiatric disorder, and it may not be sensitive to subtle changes in symptoms.
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