A validated 5-item self-rating scale used to assess the presence and severity of manic or hypomanic symptoms. Instructions: For each question, choose the statement that best describes how you have been feeling over the past week.
Screening for manic or hypomanic symptoms in adults.
Monitoring symptom severity and treatment response in patients with known Bipolar Disorder.
Differentiating between depression and mixed/manic states in patients presenting with mood symptoms.
Brief assessment of symptoms "over the past week".
Patient Populations
Adults (18+)
Outpatient settings
Inpatient settings
Section 2
Formula & Logic
Five Core Domains
Mood (Happiness/Cheerfulness)
Self-Confidence
Sleep (Reduced need for sleep)
Speech (Talkativeness)
Activity Level (Motor/Social)
Scoring Logic
Total Score = Σ (Items 1 through 5)
Range: 0 to 20
Section 3
Pearls/Pitfalls
Interpretation Nuances
The ASRM is highly sensitive to the presence of hypomania. Unlike the YMRS (which is clinician-rated), the ASRM allows for rapid patient self-assessment, making it ideal for busy clinics or longitudinal tracking via telehealth.
Critical Threshold
A score of 6 or higher is the validated threshold for identifying a high probability of a manic or hypomanic condition.
Section 4
Next Steps
Result Interpretation
Score ≥ 6: High probability of mania or hypomania. Diagnostic clinical interview is strongly recommended.
Score < 6: Lower probability of significant manic symptoms.
Assessment of safety: If mania is suspected, prioritize risk assessment for impulsivity and reckless behavior.
Section 5
Evidence Appraisal
Validation Metrics
Metric
Value
Sensitivity (Score ≥ 6)
85.5%
Specificity (Score ≥ 6)
87.3%
Cronbach Alpha
0.79
Primary Reference
The Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale
Altman EG et al. • Biological Psychiatry. 1997;42(10): 948-953
Section 6
Literature
Development
Developed by Dr. Edward Altman and colleagues in 1997 to provide a compatible self-rating version of the clinician-rated Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS).
