Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form

Geriatric Depression Scale short form (GDS-SF) is an adequate substitute for the original 30-item scale (GDS) that is commonly used to identify depression in the elderly.


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

1. Are you basically satisfied with your life? YES / NO
2. Have you dropped many of your activities and interests? YES / NO
3. Do you feel that your life is empty? YES / NO
4. Do you often get bored? YES / NO
5. Are you in good spirits most of the time? YES / NO
6. Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you? YES / NO
7. Do you feel happy most of the time? YES / NO
8. Do you often feel helpless? YES / NO
9. Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing new things? YES / NO
10. Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most? YES / NO
11. Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now? YES / NO
12. Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now? YES / NO
13. Do you feel full of energy? YES / NO
14. Do you feel that your situation is hopeless? YES / NO 
15. Do you think that most people are better off than you are? YES / NO

Scoring Instructions: Score 1 point for each bolded answer. 

1. YES  /  NO
2. YES  /  NO
3. YES  /  NO
4. YES  /  NO
5. YES  /  NO
6. YES  /  NO
7. YES  /  NO
8. YES  /  NO
9. YES  /  NO
10. YES  /  NO
11. YES  /  NO
12. YES  /  NO
13. YES  /  NO
14. YES  /  NO
15. YES  /  NO
    
    A score greater than or equal to 5 suggests depression. Scores greater than or equal to 10 are almost always depression.