Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form)
Question | Response | |
|---|---|---|
1. Are you basically satisfied with your life? | Yes | No |
2. Have you dropped many of your activities and interests? | Yes | No |
3. Do you feel that life is empty? | Yes | No |
4. Do you often get bored? | Yes | No |
5. Are you in good spirits most of the time? | Yes | No |
6. Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you? | Yes | No |
7. Do you feel happy most of the time? | Yes | No |
8. Do you often feel helpless? | Yes | No |
9. Do you prefer to stay at home rather than go out and do new things? | Yes | No |
10. Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most? | Yes | No |
11. Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now? | Yes | No |
12. Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now? | Yes | No |
13. Do you feel full of energy? | Yes | No |
14. Do you feel that your situation is hopeless? | Yes | No |
15. Do you think that most people are better off than you are? | Yes | No |
Score: One point for “No” to questions 1, 5, 7, 11, 13. One point for “Yes” to other questions.
> 5 points suggests depression and warrants a follow-up evaluation. ≥ 10 points almost always indicates depression. | ||
Adapted from Sheikh JI, Yesavage JA: Geriatric depression scale (GDS): Recent evidence and development of a shorter version. In Clinical Gerontology: A Guide to Assessment and Intervention, edited by TL Brink. Binghamton, NY, Haworth Press, 1986, pp. 165–173. © by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. | ||