Geriatric Depression Scale, short form (GDS-15)
15 yes-or-no questions screening for depression in older adults.
Inputs
0 of 15Are you basically satisfied with your life?
Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?
Do you feel that your life is empty?
Do you often get bored?
Are you in good 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 and 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?
When to use
- Screening older adults, including those with mild cognitive impairment.
Pearls and pitfalls
- Above 5 suggests depression and warrants follow-up; 10 or more almost always indicates depression.
- A screen, not a diagnosis.
Why use
Public domain and validated in older adults.
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Are you basically satisfied with your life?: Yes | 0 |
| No | +1 |
| Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?: Yes | +1 |
| No | 0 |
| Do you feel that your life is empty?: Yes | +1 |
| No | 0 |
| Do you often get bored?: Yes | +1 |
| No | 0 |
| Are you in good spirits most of the time?: Yes | 0 |
| No | +1 |
| Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?: Yes | +1 |
| No | 0 |
| Do you feel happy most of the time?: Yes | 0 |
| No | +1 |
| Do you often feel helpless?: Yes | +1 |
| No | 0 |
| Do you prefer to stay at home rather than going out and doing new things?: Yes | +1 |
| No | 0 |
| Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most?: Yes | +1 |
| No | 0 |
| Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?: Yes | 0 |
| No | +1 |
| Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now?: Yes | +1 |
| No | 0 |
| Do you feel full of energy?: Yes | 0 |
| No | +1 |
| Do you feel that your situation is hopeless?: Yes | +1 |
| No | 0 |
| Do you think that most people are better off than you are?: Yes | +1 |
| No | 0 |