Yesavage geriatric depression scale

Introduction

Short form (yes/no) answers to 15 questions.

• Are you basically satisfied with your life?

• Have you dropped many of your activities & interests?

• Do you feel that your life is empty?

• Do you often get bored?

• Are you good in spirits most of the time?

• Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?

• Do you feel happy most of the time?

• Do you often feel helpless?

• Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out & doing new things?

• Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most?

• Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?

• Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now?

• Do you feel full of energy?

• Do you feel that your situation is hopeless?

• Do you think that most people are better off than you are?.

Scoring:

• 1 point for 'depressed' answer; maximum of 15 points.
• 'Depressed' answers are NO on 1,5,7,11,13, yes on all others.

Depression rating:

• normal: 1-5
• mildly depressed: 4-10
• very depressed: 10-14

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Long form (yes/no) answers to 30 questions.

• Are you basically satisfied with your life?

• Have you dropped many of your activities & interests?

• Do you feel that your life is empty?

• Do you often get bored?

• Are you hopeful about the future?

• Are you bothered by thought you can't get out of your head?

• Are you good in spirits most of the time?

• Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?

• Do you feel happy most of the time?

• Do you often feel helpless?

• do you often feel restless & figidity?

• Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out & doing new things?

• Do you frequently worry about the future?

• Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most?

• Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?

• Do you often feel downhearted and blue?

• Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now?

• Do you worry a lot about the past?

• do you find life very exciting?

• Is it hard for you to get started on new projects?

• Do you feel full of energy?

• Do you feel that your situation is hopeless?

• Do you think that most people are better off than you are?

• Do you frequently get upset over little things?

• Do you frequently feel like crying?

• Do you have trouble concentrating?

• Do you enjoy getting up in the morning?

• Do you prefer to avoid social gatherings?

• Is it easy for you to make decisions?

• Is your mind as clear as it used to be?

Scoring:

• 1 point for 'depressed' answer; maximum of 30 points.
• 'Depressed' answers are NO on 1,5,7,9,15,19,21,27,29,30; yes on all others.

Depression rating:

• normal: 1-10
• mildly depressed: 11-17
• very depressed: 18-30

Notes

• higher GDS scores are associated with aging as much as with dementia

More general terms

• geriatric depression scale (GDS)