This short checklist screens for depression in older adults. It covers the past week. There are 15 yes or no items. This is for education only, not a diagnosis. Your answers stay on your device unless you share a results link.
Your results
Helpful next steps
Here are tools you can try now.
Important
Emergency: If this is an emergency, call your local emergency services now.
Numbers can change. Please verify online before calling.
Test is for education and entertainment only. It is not advice and it has no guarantee of accuracy or validity.
Assessment is free and anonymous. You can save a direct link to your results.
These tools are for screening only. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose. If you are worried about safety, use the Emergency button now.
Use is at your own risk. PsychKit, Joyful Psych, and subsidiaries are not liable for any damages from use.
GDS-15 has 15 yes or no items. Total is 0 to 15. A score above 5 suggests depression and a follow up interview. Many services use bands: 0 to 4 normal, 5 to 8 mild, 9 to 11 moderate, 12 to 15 severe.
References and credits
Stanford GDS page: original scale is in the public domain. Short form items and scoring guidance. GDS info, Short form, Scoring.
Sheikh JI, Yesavage JA. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Recent evidence and development of a shorter version. In: Brink TL, ed. Clinical Gerontology: A Guide to Assessment and Intervention. 1986.
Yesavage JA et al. Development and validation of a geriatric depression screening scale. J Psychiatr Res. 1983.
The original scale is in the public domain due to federal support, per Stanford GDS page. Please cite the authors when you use it.
v1.0. Single file. Autosave. Shareable link. Mobile first.
FAQs
Who is GDS-15 for
It is for older adults. It can be used in clinics and community settings. It is a screen, not a diagnosis.
How is GDS-15 scored
Some items count as 1 if you answer yes. A few count as 1 if you answer no. The total is 0 to 15. Above 5 suggests depression and needs a follow up chat with a clinician.
Can I take it if I have memory issues
It was designed to be simple. Many services use it even when attention is limited, but talk with a clinician for the right tool for you.
Is my data stored on a server
No. Your answers stay in your browser using localStorage. The share link encodes results in the URL after the #. Servers do not receive that part.
What should I do next
Try the tools matched to your result. If your score is 5 or higher, consider talking with a clinician. If you feel unsafe, call local emergency services.
Emergency help
If this is an emergency, call your local emergency services now.
Numbers can change. Please verify online before calling.
India: 112 all emergencies. Tele-MANAS 14416 mental health
USA: 911. Mental health 988
UK: 999 emergency. 111 NHS non emergency
Germany: 112 fire or medical. 110 police
Russia: 112 all emergencies
China mainland: 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire, 122 traffic
