Common Depression Measurement Tools
Tool_Name Number_of_Items Primary_Use Cutoff_Scores Standardized_Valid Ideal_Population Strengths Limitations Citation
PHQ-9 9 Screening, Monitoring, Severity 5, 10, 15, 20 (mild to severe) Yes Adults (18+), General Population Brief, widely validated, free Self-report bias Kroenke et al., 2001
CES-D 20 Screening, Epidemiological Research 16+ (clinical concern) Yes Adults (18+), Community Samples Good for epidemiology, broad use May over-identify cases Radloff, 1977
BDI-II 21 Screening, Monitoring, Severity 14–19 mild, 20–28 moderate, 29–63 severe Yes Adolescents and Adults In-depth assessment, sensitive to change Licensed, not free Beck et al., 1996
GDS-15 15 Screening in Older Adults 5+ (suggests depression) Yes Older Adults (60+) Quick for older adults, easy language Limited to older adults Sheikh & Yesavage, 1986
EPDS 10 Screening for Postnatal Depression 10+ (suggests depression) Yes Perinatal/Postnatal Individuals Designed for postpartum, sensitive Not diagnostic, cultural sensitivity needed Cox et al., 1987
CIDI-SF Varies Structured Diagnostic Interview Algorithm-based Yes General Population (varies by module) Standardized, reliable diagnosis Requires trained interviewer WHO, 1998
ICD-10 Codes N/A Administrative Diagnostic Classification N/A Yes Clinical/Administrative Populations Population-wide utility, global standard Lacks symptom severity detail WHO, 1992