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    Depression · 30 items · 0–30 · Yesavage JA, Brink TL, Rose TL, et al. Development and validation of a geriatric depression screening scale: a preliminary report. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 1983;17(1):37-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3956(82)90033-4

    Geriatric Depression Scale (long form): Scoring, Cutoffs & Interpretation

    A 30-item yes/no self-report screen for depression in older adults, designed to avoid somatic items that mislead in later life.

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    GDS-300 / 30

    Choose the best answer for how you have felt over the past week.

    01

    Are you basically satisfied with your life?

    Item score-
    02

    Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?

    Item score-
    03

    Do you feel that your life is empty?

    Item score-
    04

    Do you often get bored?

    Item score-
    05

    Are you hopeful about the future?

    Item score-
    06

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

    Item score-
    07

    Are you in good spirits most of the time?

    Item score-
    08

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

    Item score-
    09

    Do you feel happy most of the time?

    Item score-
    10

    Do you often feel helpless?

    Item score-
    11

    Do you often get restless and fidgety?

    Item score-
    12

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

    Item score-
    13

    Do you frequently worry about the future?

    Item score-
    14

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

    Item score-
    15

    Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?

    Item score-
    16

    Do you often feel downhearted and blue?

    Item score-
    17

    Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now?

    Item score-
    18

    Do you worry a lot about the past?

    Item score-
    19

    Do you find life very exciting?

    Item score-
    20

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

    Item score-
    21

    Do you feel full of energy?

    Item score-
    22

    Do you feel that your situation is hopeless?

    Item score-
    23

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

    Item score-
    24

    Do you frequently get upset over little things?

    Item score-
    25

    Do you frequently feel like crying?

    Item score-
    26

    Do you have trouble concentrating?

    Item score-
    27

    Do you enjoy getting up in the morning?

    Item score-
    28

    Do you prefer to avoid social gatherings?

    Item score-
    29

    Is it easy for you to make decisions?

    Item score-
    30

    Is your mind as clear as it used to be?

    Item score-
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    02 - The clinician's brief

    Last reviewed: · Reviewed by Lotte Kjær Svalberg

    01 - Scoring & cutoffs

    How scoring works.

    Score
    Severity
    Interpretation
    0–9
    Normal
    No or minimal depressive symptoms. Monitor and reassure.
    10–19
    Mild depression
    Mild depressive symptoms. Watchful waiting; consider repeating and further assessment.
    20–30
    Severe depression
    Severe depressive symptoms. Clinical assessment and active treatment indicated.

    A screening result in the depressive range warrants clinical assessment; the GDS-30 is a screen, not a diagnosis.

    Scale without compromise

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