The HEADSS exam (often written HEADS or HEEADSSS) is a structured psychosocial interview used with adolescents and young adults. Clinicians use it to find risks early, from home stress to substance use and suicidal thoughts. It complements the mental status exam and routine physical exams.
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Key takeaways
- HEADSS: Home, Education/employment, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/depression.
- HEEADSSS adds Eating and Safety.
- Explain confidentiality and its limits, and interview the teen alone.
- Move from less sensitive topics to more sensitive ones.
USA HEADSS Exam: Quick Facts
- Used with
- Adolescents and young adults
- Type
- Psychosocial interview
- Expanded version
- HEEADSSS
- Key rule
- Safety overrides confidentiality
HEADSS Assessment Components
| Letter | Topic | Example question |
|---|---|---|
| H | Home | Who do you live with? How do you get along? |
| E | Education / Employment | How is school going? Do you work? |
| E | Eating (HEEADSSS) | How do you feel about your body and eating? |
| A | Activities | What do you do for fun? Who are your friends? |
| D | Drugs | Do friends vape, drink or use drugs? Do you? |
| S | Sexuality | Have you been in a relationship? Do you feel safe? |
| S | Suicide / depression | Have you felt down or thought about hurting yourself? |
| S | Safety (HEEADSSS) | Seatbelts, bullying, violence, online safety |
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Go to the USA HEADSS Exam practice test →USA HEADSS Exam FAQs
What does HEADSS stand for?
Home, Education/employment, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality and Suicide/depression.
Full answer →What is the difference between HEADSS and HEEADSSS?
HEEADSSS adds Eating and Safety to the original HEADSS framework.
Full answer →Should parents be present for a HEADSS assessment?
Best practice is to spend part of the visit alone with the teen after explaining confidentiality and its limits.
Full answer →Official sources
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