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The 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) is a validated self-report questionnaire designed for older adults to screen quickly and non-invasively for depressive symptoms. Each item probes mood, motivation, social engagement, or cognitive concerns, enabling professionals and individuals to detect emerging affective changes that could otherwise be mistaken for typical ageing.
This online screening tool presents each statement with simple Yes-or-No buttons. It scores one point whenever a response aligns with a depressive indicator, accounting for six reverse-worded items that reduce bias. The reactive engine totals the fifteen answers in real time, assigns a severity band, and feeds the figure to a gauge charting layer for immediate visual feedback.
Imagine a caregiver noticing that a 72-year-old parent has become socially withdrawn; completing the questionnaire together offers a structured conversation starter and a data-backed prompt for scheduling a primary-care visit. This quick activity usually takes under two minutes, making it suitable for community screenings or routine check-ins. Results do not constitute a clinical diagnosis; always discuss concerns with a qualified health-care professional.
The GDS-15 converts binary self-reported feelings into a summed index of depressive symptom burden. Affirmative responses signalling dysphoria score one; affirmative answers on positively worded items score zero through reverse coding. Validation studies show sensitivity above 0.80 and specificity near 0.75 versus structured clinical interviews, offering a fatigue-saving alternative to lengthier scales.
Score | Band | Implication |
---|---|---|
0 – 4 | Normal | Within typical mood range. |
5 – 8 | Mild | Monitor; consider lifestyle adjustments. |
9 – 11 | Moderate | Professional discussion advisable. |
12 – 15 | Severe | Prompt clinical evaluation recommended. |
A respondent answers Yes to items 2, 3, 6, 8 and No to all others. After reverse coding, 4 of 15 items score 1, yielding a Total Score of 4 and a Normal band.
Core validation: Sheikh & Yesavage (1986); systematic review: Mitchell et al. (2010). Comparative studies highlight reliability against the 30-item GDS and DSM-IV structured interviews.
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Follow these actions to receive your score.
No. All responses stay in your browser and vanish when you close the page.
The higher the number, the greater the likelihood of depressive symptoms within the past week.
Yes. Use the print or export feature to create a copy for clinical consultation.
Monthly retesting helps observe trends; avoid daily use to reduce noise from short-term mood shifts.
The scale was developed for adults 60+, yet remains informative for adjacent age groups when interpreted cautiously.