A number of psychological
tests are useful in patients with chronic
facial pain as it has been reported that
depression may be co-existent in up to
50% of patients and anxiety in 15%.5 The
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
(HADS) is a screening tool which involves
the patient completing a questionnaire
composed of statements (Table 3), with
a choice of answers relevant to either
generalized anxiety or depression.
The answers are scored and, when
the final score is compared to a set of
normal values, anxiety or depression is
suggested, triggering a referral to either a
psychologist or psychiatrist.8