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Symptoms of Depression Assessment

Just how happy or depressed are you?

Sometimes we don’t have a clear picture of that. It’s a good idea to get some objective feedback that can help you see where you are.

Use the assessments below to get a sense of how your moods are affecting you.

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) is one of the most common screening tests for helping an individual to determine his or her depression quotient. The quick self-test measures depressive feelings and behaviors during the past week.

Take the Quiz

The 20 items below refer to how you have felt and behaved during the last week. Choose the appropriate button.

Please note: This test will only be scored correctly if you answer each one of the questions.

1. I was bothered by things that don't usually bother me.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

2. I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

3. I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with the help of my family or friends.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

4. I felt that I was just as good as other people.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

5. I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

6. I felt depressed.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

7. I felt everything I did was an effort.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

8. I felt hopeful about the future.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

9. I thought my life had been a failure.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

10. I felt fearful.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

11. My sleep was restless.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

12. I was happy.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

13. I talked less than usual.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

14. I felt lonely.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

15. People were unfriendly.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

16. I enjoyed life.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

17. I had crying spells.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

18. I felt sad.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

19. I felt that people disliked me.

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

20. I could not get "going".

Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)

Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)

Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)

Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

 

Scoring this Psychological Questionnaire

Scoring for All Except Questions 4, 8, 12, and 16:

For questions 4, 8, 12, and 16, the scoring is exactly the same except that it is reversed: "Most or all of the time" is scored 0 points, "Rarely or none of the time" is scored 3 points, etc.

Total scores can range from 0 to 60. 

Score Interpretation

Higher scores indicate more depressive symptoms.

A score of 16 or higher has been used extensively as the cut-off point for high depressive symptoms on this scale. Mild depression is assumed with a score of 16-20. Moderate depression a score of 21-25. Severe depression a score of 26-60.

This scale is sensitive to your moods and your general mental state and you would expect to obtain different scores at different times. However, if you are scoring higher than 16 it is crucial to take steps now to get some help in managing your moods and Brain Chemistry Treatment can be a help to you.  If your score is lower than 16 then optimizing your brain chemistry can help you to gain all the benefits of being happier.

Additional Information

The CES-D was developed in the 1970s by Lenore Radloff while she was a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health. Almost 85% of those found to have depression after an in-depth structured interview with a psychiatrist will have a high score on the CESD. However, about 20% of those who score high on the CESD will have rapid resolution of their symptoms and not meet full criteria for major or clinical depression.

Original reference:
Radloff, L.S. (1977) 'The CES-D scale: A self report depression scale for research in the general population'. Applied Psychological Measurement 1: 385-401.