Geriatric Depression Scale, 15-item (GDS-15)

Fifteen yes-or-no questions with no somatic items. Screening threshold 5 points.

Updated 31 Aug 2026 · Methodology

Answers refer to the past week. A point is scored for «no» on items 1, 5, 7, 11, 13 and for «yes» on the rest.

1. Are you basically satisfied with your life?

2. Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?

3. Do you feel that your life is empty?

4. Do you often get bored?

5. Are you in good spirits most of the time?

6. Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?

7. Do you feel happy most of the time?

8. Do you often feel helpless?

9. Do you prefer to stay at home rather than going out and doing new things?

10. Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most?

11. Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?

12. Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now?

13. Do you feel full of energy?

14. Do you feel that your situation is hopeless?

15. Do you think that most people are better off than you are?

About this calculator

The short form of the Yesavage scale is built to avoid confusing depression with ageing and with physical illness: it drops questions about appetite, weight, sleep and fatigue, which come out positive in older patients without any depression. What remains asks about mood, interest, hope, emptiness and self-worth. The answer format is binary, so people with mild cognitive decline can complete it. A point is scored for «no» on items 1, 5, 7, 11 and 13, and for «yes» on the other ten. The Spanish validation by Martínez de la Iglesia in 2002 confirmed a 5-point screening threshold for primary care: 0-4 normal, 5-9 probable mild depression, 10-15 moderate to severe. It stays a screening instrument and does not diagnose. In advanced dementia it loses reliability because answers stop being stable. Answers refer to the past week, so a single stretch of low mood after a loss produces a positive result without a depressive disorder.

Source

Sheikh JI, Yesavage JA. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): recent evidence and development of a shorter version. Clin Gerontol 1986;5:165-173. Проверка порога 5 баллов для GDS-15: Almeida OP, Almeida SA. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 1999;14(10):858-865. Испанская валидация: Martínez de la Iglesia J et al. Aten Primaria 2002;30(6):303-310 (в PubMed не индексируется).

Formula version: sheikh-1986-mdi-2002-v1

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Drugs

Citalopram, Escitalopram, Sertraline

About this calculator

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