Depression is a mood disorder characterized by feeling sad or down, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, changes in sleep, low energy, changes in weight or appetite, feelings of guilt, concentration difficulties, indecisiveness, and suicidal thoughts. Several tests have been developed to assess depression. Mental health professionals often use tests along with a comprehensive clinical interview to asses and diagnose depression.
Beck Depression Inventory--Second Edition (BDI-II)
The Beck Depression Inventory--Second Edition (BDI-II) contains 21 items with multiple-choice responses. Each item measures a specific symptom of depression. The severity of depression is obtained by summing all item scores, with higher scores indicating more severe depression. The BDI-II is appropriate to assess depression among individuals ages 13 to 80 years. Dr. Aaron Beck at the University of Pennsylvania developed the Beck Depression Inventory, and it was revised to reflect changes in the diagnostic criteria of depression.
Children's Depression Inventory (CDI)
The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) assesses depression among children and adolescents ages 7 to 17 years. A child answers 27 items that have three statements describing feelings from the past two weeks. Additional perspectives on the child's mood and functioning may be obtained through parent and teacher forms. In the parent form, the parent or guardian rates the child on 17 items about family and home situations. The teacher form focuses on the academic, emotional and social aspects of the child at school. Dr. Maria Kovacs at the University of Pittsburgh developed the CDI.
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
The Geriatric Depression Sale (GDS) may be used to screen for depression among the elderly, according to an article in the 1982-1983 issue of "Journal of Psychiatric Research." Depression may be assessed by the GDS among older adults who are healthy, ailing, or have some cognitive difficulties. The GDS has 30 items with yes/no responses. Scores are summed to obtain a total score. A higher total score suggests more severe depression. Dr. Jerome Yesavage at Stanford University developed the GDS.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) contains 21 items. Only the first 17 items are used to score the severity of depression. Item scores are summed to yield a total score. A higher total score indicates more severe depression. The clinician asks the item questions to the person being assessed for depression, unlike most tests that have the person answer the items alone. According to a review of research in the March/April 2003 issue of "Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics," the HAM-D has been the "gold standard" for assessing the effectiveness of antidepressants in treating depression. Dr. Max Hamilton at the University of Leeds developed the HAM-D.
Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZDS)
The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZDS) has 20 items that assess the severity of depression among adults. Each item has four responses. A total score is calculated by summing the scores of all items. A higher total score indicates more severe depression. Dr. William Zung at Duke University developed the ZDS.
References
- "Archives of General Psychiatry"; A Self-Rating Depression Scale; William Zung, M.D.; January 1965.
- "Beck Depression Inventory-II Manual"; Aaron Beck, M.D., Robert Steer, Ed.D. and Gregory Brown, Ph.D.; The Psychological Corporation; 1996.
- "Children's Depression Inventory Technical Manual Update"; Maria Kovacs, Ph.D.; Multi-Health Systems, Inc.; 2003.
- "Journal of Psychiatric Research"; Development and Validation of a Geriatric Depression Screening Scale: A Preliminary Report; Jerome Yesavage, M.D., T.L. Brink, Ph.D., Terence Rose, Ph.D., Owen Lum, M.D., Virginia Huang, M.D., Michael Adey, B.A. and Von Otto Leirer, Ph.D.; 1982-1983.
- "Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics"; Getting What You Ask For: On the Selectivity of Rating Scales; Koen Demyttenaere, M.D., Ph.D. and Jurgen De Fruyt, M.D.; March/April 2003.
