PANSS — Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (Total Score)
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale: 30 items rated 1–7 from a structured clinical interview — positive (7), negative (7) and general psychopathology (16) scales. Enter the three scale totals; total 30–210.
Score interpretation
Below the PANSS total (58) that corresponds to CGI 'mildly ill' (Leucht 2005).
→ Continue treatment and psychosocial interventions; monitor.
Leucht 2005: a total of 58 corresponds to CGI 'mildly ill' and 75 to 'moderately ill'.
→ Optimise antipsychotic therapy and psychosocial interventions; monitor.
Leucht 2005: a total of 75 corresponds to CGI 'moderately ill' and 95 to 'markedly ill'.
→ Review antipsychotic choice and adherence; clozapine if 2 adequate antipsychotic trials have failed; community team and carer support.
Leucht 2005: a total of 95 corresponds to CGI 'markedly ill' and 116 to 'severely ill'.
→ Urgent review of treatment and risk; consider admission; clozapine if treatment-resistant.
Leucht 2005: a total of 116 corresponds to CGI 'severely ill'.
→ Assess risk to self and others; inpatient or psychiatric intensive care if needed; full MDT involvement.
Interpretation bands for the PANSS. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Kay SR, Fiszbein A, Opler LA. The positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) for schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull. 1987;13(2):261-276.
- Leucht S, Kane JM, Kissling W, Hamann J, Etschel E, Engel RR. What does the PANSS mean? Schizophr Res. 2005;79(2-3):231-238.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Risperidone (Paediatric) · Atypical Antipsychotic — Autism Spectrum Disorder / Schizophrenia / Tic Disorders
- Clozapine · Atypical antipsychotic (treatment-resistant schizophrenia)
- Pimavanserin · Atypical Antipsychotic — Selective 5-HT2A Inverse Agonist (Parkinson's Disease Psychosis)
- Lumateperone · Atypical Antipsychotic — Multimodal (Schizophrenia / Bipolar Depression)
- Brexpiprazole · Atypical Antipsychotic — D2/5-HT1A Partial Agonist (Schizophrenia / Adjunct MDD)
- Droperidol · Butyrophenone antipsychotic / antiemetic
- Acute Behavioural Disturbance / Rapid Tranquillisation · RCEM 2022; RCPsych 2022; NICE NG10
- Self-Harm Presentation · NICE NG225 (2022)
- Capacity Assessment (Mental Capacity Act) · MCA 2005; Code of Practice
- Acute Psychosis Management · NICE CG178 2014
- Depression Management · NICE CG90 2022
- Lithium Therapy Monitoring · NICE CG185
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.