The geriatric depression scale is a self-reported screening survey to help detect depression in older adults. There’s a short version with 15 questions and a long version with 30.
The geriatric depression scale includes a series of “yes or no” questions. All the questions target the mental symptoms of depression, such as feeling lonely or hopeless, rather than the physical symptoms like insomnia or weight changes.
Scoring highly on the geriatric depression scale can be a sign that it’s a good idea to receive a psychological assessment from a medical professional.
This article examines the short- and long-versions of this test in more detail, including how accurate they are and who they may be useful for.
The geriatric depression scale is available in short and long forms. The longer and original form included 30 questions. However, it proved to be time-consuming and difficult for some people, so a shorter version was developed in 1986.
The short version contains 15 questions. It generally takes about 5 to 7 minutes to finish. Due to being faster and easier, it’s currently more commonly administered.
An even shorter
Sample survey questions
Here are some example questions that appear on the survey. Each question can be answered yes or no:
- Are 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?
Both the short and longer forms of the geriatric depression scale have questions that are simply answered yes or no. The survey is scored by counting how many questions you answered yes to.
On the short form, a score over 5 suggests you’re at risk for depression. Higher scores suggest more severe depression. For instance, a score of:
- 5 to 8 suggests mild depression
- 9 to 11 suggests moderate depression
- 12 to 15 suggests severe depression
On the 30-question version, the scoring indicates:
- 0 to 9 is normal
- 10 to 19 suggests mild depression
- 20 to 30 suggests severe depression
The geriatric depression scale isn’t a diagnostic tool, but it’s a screening tool to help recognize when somebody may be at risk of depression.
Studies consistently show that both the 15- and 30-question versions are highly accurate at predicting depression. Many studies have examined its accuracy over the years. While the exact numbers differ slightly between studies, most show a high degree of accuracy.
When compared to the diagnostic criteria for depression, the geriatric depression scale was found to have about 92% sensitivity, meaning that out of 100 people with depression, it can correctly predict depression in about 92 people.
In reverse, it has been found to have about 89% specificity, meaning that of 100 people without depression, it will correctly identify that 89 of these people don’t have depression.
The results of the 15- and 30-question surveys seem to strongly correlate.
The geriatric depression scale can be used in adults who are:
- mentally healthy
- mentally ill
- mild to moderately cognitively impaired
A 2021 study from South Korea found evidence that the scale may be more accurate for assessing people with normal cognitive function.
The researchers concluded that the 15-question scale may be slightly less useful for assessing people with cognitive impairment.
However, the survey should not take the place of a medical diagnosis by a healthcare professional.
There are no physical tests for depression, but you may receive some lab tests to rule out conditions that may be causing potential symptoms like lethargy or loss of motivation, including:
- blood tests
- imaging
- urine tests
The main way that healthcare professionals diagnose depression is by performing a clinical exam, where they’ll
- review your personal medical history
- review your family medical history
- ask you about any symptoms you’re experiencing
To make a diagnosis, most healthcare professionals use the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5).
Diagnostic surveys used by healthcare professionals
Surveys that healthcare professionals use to help diagnose depression include the PROMIS Emotional Distress—Depression survey, which assesses whether you may be dealing with depression and can be used to track changes over time.
They may also administer the Severity Measure for Depression—Adult questionnaire, which is adapted from a self-reported questionnaire called the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess the severity of depression.
Healthcare professionals may also use a variety of other self-reported surveys to help identify depression, such as:
- PHQ-9. A nine-question survey to assess depression severity.
- PHQ-2. A briefer form of the PHQ-9 with only 2 questions.
- Beck depression inventory-II. A 21-question survey to assess depression severity.
- CES-D(Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). A 20-question scale to measure the frequency of depression symptoms in the last week.
- HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). A 14-question scale to measure anxiety and depression in people who are hospitalized.
- Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. A 20-item self-administered scale to screen for and assess depression severity.
They may also administer other scales evaluated by a clinician, including the:
- Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D or HDRS). The most common scale for assessing depression symptoms.
- Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI). A three-item scale to assess response to treatment.
- Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). A 10-question scale to evaluate the severity of depressive episodes.
The geriatric depression scale is a screening tool that can help identify depression in older adults. It typically includes either 15 or 30 questions that can be answered yes or no.
The geriatric depression scale isn’t enough to diagnose depression, but it can identify people who might benefit from seeing a healthcare professional for a full evaluation.
Both the 15- and 30-question versions seem to accurately predict depression in most people.