Browse by category
Depression Tests and Mood Screening Tools
Depression screening tools can help summarize low mood, loss of interest, sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, guilt, and functional impact. If scores are high, persistent, or include self-harm thoughts, seek timely professional support or emergency help when needed.
Compare tools in this category
Use administration method, audience, and purpose to choose an appropriate educational or screening resource.
| Tool | Administration | Intended audience | Items | Primary purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Item Scale (GAD-7) | Self-report | Adults and older adolescents reviewing anxiety symptoms experienced during the past two weeks | 7 | Evaluate your anxiety levels with the GAD-7 test, a scientifically validated tool for assessing generalized anxiety symptoms. |
| Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) | Self-report | Pregnant and postpartum people reviewing mood, anxiety, and self-harm warning signs during the perinatal period | 10 | Evaluate your risk for postnatal depression with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), designed for new and expectant mothers. |
| Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) | Self-report | Older adults, commonly age 60 or above, reviewing mood and daily-function changes associated with depression | 30 | Assess depression in older adults with the GDS, designed to detect symptoms efficiently in elderly populations through simple questions. |
| Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale - 11-Item (KADS-11) | Self-report | Adolescents, commonly ages 12-17, reporting depressive symptoms and functional changes with appropriate adult or professional support available | 11 | The KADS-11 is a streamlined tool for identifying depression in teens, focusing on mood, behavior, and thoughts for effective screening. |
| Major Depression Inventory (MDI) | Self-report | Adults reviewing depressive symptoms and their frequency during the recent assessment period | 12 | Take the MDI (Major Depression Inventory) to self-assess for major depressive disorder, based on the World Health Organization's research-backed criteria. |
| Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) | Clinician-rated | Trained clinicians rating depressive symptom severity after an interview and clinical observation | 10 | MADRS clinician rating worksheet |
| Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) | Self-report | Adults and older adolescents reviewing depressive symptoms and functional impact over the past two weeks | 9 | Evaluate symptoms of depression using the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire), a concise questionnaire grounded in clinical research and practice. |
| Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) | Self-report | Adults reviewing emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms associated with depression | 20 | Explore the Zung Depression Scale (SDS) for a comprehensive self-assessment of depression, highlighting mood and physical symptoms. |
| Primary Care PTSD Screen (DSM-5) (PC-PTSD-5) | Self-report | Adults in primary-care or community settings reviewing trauma exposure and recent post-traumatic stress symptoms | 6 | The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) is a 5-item screen designed to identify individuals with probable PTSD. |
Available depression screening tools
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Item Scale (GAD-7)
Evaluate your anxiety levels with the GAD-7 test, a scientifically validated tool for assessing generalized anxiety symptoms.
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
Evaluate your risk for postnatal depression with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), designed for new and expectant mothers.
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Assess depression in older adults with the GDS, designed to detect symptoms efficiently in elderly populations through simple questions.
Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale - 11-Item (KADS-11)
The KADS-11 is a streamlined tool for identifying depression in teens, focusing on mood, behavior, and thoughts for effective screening.
Major Depression Inventory (MDI)
Take the MDI (Major Depression Inventory) to self-assess for major depressive disorder, based on the World Health Organization's research-backed criteria.
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
A clinician-rated MADRS worksheet for recording depressive symptom severity after a professional interview; not a self-report depression test.
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
Evaluate symptoms of depression using the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire), a concise questionnaire grounded in clinical research and practice.
Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS)
Explore the Zung Depression Scale (SDS) for a comprehensive self-assessment of depression, highlighting mood and physical symptoms.
Primary Care PTSD Screen (DSM-5) (PC-PTSD-5)
The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) is a 5-item screen designed to identify individuals with probable PTSD.