Introduction
The Geriatric Depression Scale explores mood and engagement with life in older adults. This page uses the 30-question form, with yes-or-no statements about satisfaction, interests, energy and how life feels.
Changes in activity can reflect several circumstances, including bereavement, physical limitations or reduced opportunities for social contact. Describing what changed and when helps give a response more meaning than the answer alone.
Shorter GDS forms also exist, so identify the 30-question version when sharing or comparing a result. PHQ-9 offers a different set of recent symptom questions, while the grief inventory focuses specifically on experiences following a death.
Instructions
Please answer “yes” or “no” to the following questions in regards to how you have been feeling recently.
Scoring and result metrics
The result page reports a local screening score for this questionnaire. Use the score range, any subscale scores, and the interpretation band together rather than treating one number as a diagnosis.
- Score range
- 0-30
- Items scored
- 30
- Result indicators
- Total score / Interpretation band when available
Score interpretation bands
- 0-9Little to no depression
Scores in the 0-9 range are indicative of little to no Depression.
- 10-19Mild depression
Scores in the 10-19 range are indicative of mild Depression levels.
- 20-30Severe depression
Scores in the 20-30 range are indicative of severe Depression levels.
Interpretation bands summarize screening thresholds from the questionnaire source material. Higher scores usually indicate more of the measured concern unless the tool notes a different scoring rule.
Tool information
- Version
- 30 questions
- Administration
- Self-report
- Intended audience
- Older adults, commonly age 60 or above, reviewing mood and daily-function changes associated with depression
Sources
- JA Yesavage, TL Brink, et al. Development and Validation of a Geriatric Depression Screening Scale: a Preliminary Report. 17(1): J Psychiatr Res. 37-49. 1983.
- JI Sheikh, JA Yesavage. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Recent Evidence and Development of a Shorter Version. 5(1/2): Clin Gerontol 165-173. 1986.
- EL Lesher, JS Berryhill. Validation of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form Among Inpatients. 50(2): J Clin Psychol 256-260. 1994.
Related tests
Explore related screening tools in the same topic area.
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
The Edinburgh scale asks about emotional experiences around the postnatal period, including enjoyment, self-blame, worry, sadness and feeling overwhelmed.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Item Scale (GAD-7)
GAD-7 brings together seven experiences related to anxiety, including persistent worry, difficulty relaxing, restlessness and irritability.
Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale - 11-Item (KADS-11)
KADS asks adolescents about low mood, irritability, interest, energy and related experiences.