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Older Adults · 3 min · 15 questions

GDS-15: Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form)

Fifteen yes/no questions about mood over the past week, designed for older adults. About 3 minutes.

Medical disclaimer: this is a validated screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic test. Only a qualified health professional can diagnose a condition. Your answers are processed in your browser and are never sent or stored.

GDS-15: 0 of 15 answeredScore: 0 / 15 · Normal

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

  1. 1.Are you basically satisfied with your life?
  2. 2.Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?
  3. 3.Do you feel that your life is empty?
  4. 4.Do you often get bored?
  5. 5.Are you in good spirits most of the time?
  6. 6.Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?
  7. 7.Do you feel happy most of the time?
  8. 8.Do you often feel helpless?
  9. 9.Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing new things?
  10. 10.Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most?
  11. 11.Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?
  12. 12.Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now?
  13. 13.Do you feel full of energy?
  14. 14.Do you feel that your situation is hopeless?
  15. 15.Do you think that most people are better off than you are?

GDS-15 result

Answer all 15 questions for a complete result. Current partial score shown.

0
out of 15
Normal
Range 0–4

Your responses are within the normal range.

Recommended next steps

  • No action typically indicated.
  • Re-screen if mood or interest declines.

Answer the remaining questions to enable the report:

  • GDS-15:

Screening result only, not a diagnosis. Share it with a doctor or therapist.

GDS-15 scoring guide

ScoreInterpretationSuggested action
0–4NormalNo action typically indicated.
5–8Suggestive of depressionDiscuss the result with a doctor.
9–15Indicative of depressionArrange a clinical evaluation promptly.

Clinical background

What it measures

The Geriatric Depression Scale short form was designed for older adults, using a simple yes/no format and avoiding the somatic symptoms that can confound depression screening in later life.

How it is scored

Each depressive answer scores 1 point (items 1, 5, 7, 11 and 13 are reverse-scored). Scores of 0–4 are normal, 5–8 suggest depression and 9–15 almost always indicate depression (Sheikh & Yesavage, 1986).

Reference: Sheikh JI, Yesavage JA. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): recent evidence and development of a shorter version. Clin Gerontol. 1986;5(1–2):165–173. Public domain.