If a friend asked you, “How was your week?”, you’d probably list the things you did—finished a project, went to the gym, bought groceries.
But if a therapist asked, “How did you feel this week?”, the answer might be harder to find. Our memory of emotions is often blurry. We might remember one bad argument and think the whole week was terrible, forgetting the quiet moments of peace.
To understand your mental health, you need to zoom out slightly.
The Science: A Focus on the Past Week
The CES-D-10 (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale – Short Form) is one of the most widely used tools in the world for measuring depressive symptoms.
Unlike some tests that look for long-term clinical disorders, the CES-D-10 focuses specifically on how you felt during the past week.
It is unique because it includes “positive affect” questions (e.g., asking if you felt hopeful). Research shows this helps distinguish between people who are just having a bad time versus those who have lost the capacity to feel joy—a key marker of depression.
The Tool: CES-D-10
This is a short, 10-question version of the original 20-item scale. It’s designed to be quick enough to take weekly without feeling like a chore.
👉 Take the Test: CES-D-10 Depression Screen
What To Do With Your Score
A score of 10 or higher is generally considered “significant.”
- The “Positive” Check: Look specifically at questions 5 and 8 (about feeling hopeful or happy). If you scored low on these, even if your total score is okay, it might indicate anhedonia (a loss of pleasure). This is often an early warning sign of burnout.
- Trend Watching: Because this test focuses on a 7-day window, it is excellent for tracking trends. Take it every Sunday evening. Are your numbers creeping up? If so, what changed in your routine?
Safety & Disclaimer
This tool is for self-screening and educational purposes only.
- Not a Diagnosis: A high score indicates high distress, not necessarily a clinical diagnosis of depression.
- Emergency: If you are feeling overwhelmed or unsafe, please contact a professional immediately or call your local emergency services (e.g., 988 in the US, 14416 in India).
References
- Andresen, E. M., Malmgren, J. A., Carter, W. B., & Patrick, D. L. (1994). Screening for depression in well older adults: Evaluation of a short form of the CES-D. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
- Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D Scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement.
- Zhang, W., et al. (2012). Reliability and validity of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) short form. Journal of Affective Disorders.