How Does Beck Depression Inventory
Work?

Knowing the severity of one's depression is important,
and the Beck depression inventory is a
useful self-administered tool to use.

Named after Aaron T. Beck, the author, Beck depression inventory known also as BDI, is a 21 question program that measures the presence of depression or depressive symptoms in adolescents and adults.

Each question tests a specific symptom of depression.

Beck Depression Inventory came into active use in 1969 although it was formulated in 1961. First designed for use in mental health facilities, it is now often self-administered.

Each question consists of four answers; these are assigned a score ranging from zero to three. These scores indicate the severity of depression.

The questions are supposed to help find out how the subject / person felt the previous week. Questions asked relate to both emotional and physical symptoms of depression such as mood, self-perception (esteem, feelings of guilt), changes in sleep pattern and appetite.

Examples of questions are:

• 0 - I do not feel like a failure.
• 1 - I feel I have failed more than the average person.
• 2 - As I look back on my life, all I can see is a lot of failure.
• 3 - I feel I am a complete failure as a person.

The severity of depression is then determined when the scores are tallied as follows:

• 0 -9: the person is not depressed
• 10-18: mild to moderate depression
• 19-29: moderate to severe depression
• 30-63: severe depression

Higher scores are also possible. The scoring range is however modified in Beck Depression Inventory II as shown below:

• 0-13: minimal depression
• 14-19: mild depression
• 20-28: moderate depression
• 29-63: severe depression

One online version of Beck Depression Inventory is:

• Beck Depression Inventory

There are two versions of Beck Depression Inventory, the original 1961 version and an updated 1995 version. The 1995 version is known as BDI-II.

There is also a shorter seven question Beck Depression Inventory form available. This shorter form is used mainly by primary health care workers.

One disadvantage of the Beck Depression Inventory is the use of physical symptoms to assess the severity of depression. This, experts claim can give a false reading as other illnesses can cause some of the symptoms, such as fatigue.

However, many tests of the validity of Beck Depression Inventory have shown that this tool is reliable in assessing the severity of depression.

Back from Beck Depression Inventory
to Depression Help Treatment

Dealing with Depression Advice

Don't give up hope

Depression, real depression, not acute situational depression or "the blues" can be a life threatening disorder.

"Stop your depression now," by Sharon Shurman contains the hope that you've been looking for.

As overwhelming as things may seem, do not lose hope. Hope is a good thing, maybe the best. It's the one thing that is always there.

Get the help that you deserve, whether it be counseling, a support group, in patient treatment, or medication. Talk about things as they come up, let go of guilt and shame and the past, and keep a journal so you will begin to see your patterns emerging.

Think about the goals you have accomplished and what in your life you are proud of. Latch onto whatever you need to keep your self alive and trying. Depression is treatable.