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Categories: Assessment , Health & Fitness , Psychology
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The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is a rigorously validated 21-item self-report questionnaire designed to quantify the intensity of depressive symptoms occurring within the preceding two weeks. Covering affective, cognitive and somatic domains, it offers clinicians and individuals a concise yet comprehensive framework for monitoring mood changes and informing discussions about evidence-based treatment options.

This browser-based tool presents one statement from the inventory at a time, lets you select a severity choice from “Not at all” to “Severe,” and immediately sums the twenty-one numerical scores through a lightweight reactive engine. Your total appears alongside an interpretive band on a dynamic gauge created by an embedded charting layer.

You might complete the assessment to monitor well-being between therapy appointments, to inform a supportive conversation with a trusted friend, or to decide whether persistent low mood warrants professional attention. Numeric results offer helpful perspective yet cannot capture every personal nuance; always discuss concerns with a qualified clinician. Results do not constitute a clinical diagnosis.

Technical Details:

Concept Overview

The inventory assigns each of its twenty-one statements a four-point ordinal scale. The sum of these ordinal values yields a numeric total that correlates strongly with clinician-rated depression severity. Because every item is weighted equally, the method is transparent, quick to compute locally and resistant to small calculation errors.

Core Equation

S= ∑i=121 xi
Total score S equals the sum of twenty-one item scores (xi) where each score ∈ 0–3.

Interpretation Bands

Score RangeSeverity BandInterpretation
0 – 13MinimalTypical mood fluctuations; often within healthy limits.
14 – 19MildEarly signs of low mood; self-care and monitoring advised.
20 – 28ModerateClinically relevant symptoms; evidence-based support recommended.
29 – 63SevereHigh likelihood of major depression; seek professional evaluation promptly.

Variables & Parameters

  • xi – response value for item i.
  • S – total score (0–63).
  • Severity Band – qualitative category derived from S.
  • Reference Period – past fourteen days.

Worked Example

Assumptions & Limitations

  • Assumes honest self-reporting without social desirability bias.
  • Treats each symptom dimension with equal weight.
  • Reflects two-week state, not lifetime prevalence.
  • Does not screen for manic or psychotic features.

Edge Cases & Error Sources

  • Incomplete items yield underestimation of severity.
  • Multiple selections per item invalidate the sum.
  • Interpreting transient situational sadness as chronic depression.
  • Cultural factors influencing item interpretation.

Scientific Validity & References

Beck, Steer and Brown (1996) established the BDI-II’s psychometric properties across clinical and non-clinical samples. Subsequent studies confirm high internal consistency (α > 0.9) and strong convergence with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores.

Privacy & Compliance

The questionnaire processes sensitive mental-health data locally only, supporting GDPR principles of data minimisation and user autonomy.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Follow these steps to complete the assessment efficiently.

  1. Tap Begin Assessment to load the first statement.
  2. Select the response that best matches your feeling for each item.
  3. Use the side list to revisit unanswered or uncertain statements.
  4. After the final selection, review your total score and severity band.
  5. Print or save the answer table if you plan to discuss the results.

FAQ:

Is my data stored?

No. Responses remain solely in your browser session and disappear when you clear site data.

How long does it take?

The average completion time is under three minutes.

Can I change answers?

Yes. Select any item in the side list to revise your choice before viewing results.

What if my score is high?

Consider contacting a mental-health professional; the score suggests clinically relevant symptoms.

Who created the inventory?

Psychologist Aaron T. Beck developed the original inventory, later updated to the BDI-II in 1996.

Glossary:

BDI-II
Second edition of the Beck Depression Inventory.
Item Score
Numeric value 0–3 reflecting symptom intensity.
Severity Band
Qualitative category derived from total score.
Total Score
Sum of all 21 item scores.
Reference Period
Two weeks preceding the assessment.