The Beck Depression Scale
And What It Means!
The Beck Depression Scale often referred to as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), was created by Dr. Aaron T. Beck in the 1960’s as a depression test or depression questionnaire that is used to measure the severity and depth of depression symptoms.
The Beck Depression Scale can be used for both adults and teenagers from the age of about 13, essentially when they are able to demonstrate sufficient reading skills to cope with the written questionnaire. This could vary from teenager to teenager. The Beck Depression Scale is a standard measurement of depression used mainly in research and for the evaluation of effectiveness of depression therapies and treatments. It is not meant to act as an instrument of diagnosis, but rather to identify the presence and severity of depression symptoms. As such there has been much confusion surrounding the Beck Depression Scale.
Learn more about the Beck Depression Scale in the e-book entitled – “End Your Depression”. In this well thought out and easy to read e-book by Cecil Ellis the Beck Depression Scale is covered for you.
In Part1 of the e-book – Understanding Depression And Conventional Treatment, the author introduces Dr Aaron Beck to the reader “…as a clinical psychologist who is considered a pioneer in diagnosing and treating depression….” The Beck Depression Scale is then fully developed as part of an all encompassing self-help e-book by the author, who himself suffered from clinical depression for almost 20 years.
If you are interested in depression in particular or depression tests in general then I urge you get a copy of “End Your Depression” by Cecil Ellis. You can get immediate access by clicking here now! If you take the different approach as outlined in End Your Depression, you will actually learn how to dominate your depression, and you will find that the Beck Depression Scale will be explained in detail.
- • You can reclaim your power over your life
- • You can master your sadness and negative thoughts
- • You can re-gain control over your own mind
- • You can free yourself from all the symptoms – once and for all
Some of the Questions posed in the Beck Depression Scale
These questions are designed to assess the typical symptoms of depression:
• mood and pessimism
• sense of failure
• self-dissatisfaction
• guilt and punishment
• self-dislike, self-accusation
• suicidal ideas
• crying
• irritability and social withdrawal
• body image
• work difficulties
• insomnia and fatigue
• appetite and weight loss
• bodily preoccupation
• and finally loss of libido
The original Beck Depression Scale, first published in 1961, consisted of twenty-one questions about how the subject has been feeling in the last week. The test was originally developed to detect and monitor changes in depressive symptoms in a mental health care situation.
Each questionhas a set of at least four possible answer choices, ranging in intensity. For example:
- • (0) I do not feel sad.
- • (1) I feel sad.
- • (2) I am sad all the time and I can’t snap out of it.
- • (3) I am so sad or unhappy that I can’t stand it.
When thetest is scored, a value of 0 to 3 is assigned for each answer and then the total score is compared to a key to determine the depression’s severity:
- 0–9 indicates minimal depression
- 10–18 indicates mild depression
- 19–29 indicates moderate depression
- 30–63 indicates severe depression
The higher the total score in test indicates more severe depressive symptoms.
Early testing can prevent you from deepening into depression and helps you to find the shortest way back to happy life. Get “End Your Depression” to learn more about how to cure depression without expensive medication!
Beck Depression Scale – Do you suffer from any of these symptoms?
- You are always tired, always have low energy and you always struggle to accomplish everything on your daily “to do” list.
- It’s hard to find the motivation to do anything… including going out with friends or compelling your work
- You feel anxious and worried about little things in life
- Negative thoughts and feelings of anger are often playing themselves in your mind
- You feel restless, irritable and often lash out at the people who are closest to you
- It can be difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep – regardless of how tired you may be
- You can’t concentrate on anything, your mind feels like jelly and you are more forgetful than ever.
- You have headaches, backaches, joint pain and other physical ailments that you can’t pin-point the problem and don’t respond to regular treatments
- Some days you feel sad or guilty about the things you haven’t done… and regrets play heavy on your mind.
- Even when there is a room full of people around you… you still feel lonely and often worry that no one really likes you.
- You have problems with your weight and you are starting to feel overwhelmed by your own life.
End Your Depression
The “End Your Depression” treatment plan works regardless of your symptoms and whatever your age. It is a straight-forward plan that explains everything you need to know about eliminating depression… step-by-step. It allows you to shift your focus and change your mindset, so that you will always have control over your depression. With “End Your Depression”, the results have been nothing short of amazing.
Take a look at this short video about depression tests. It specifically mentions the Becks Depression Scale test. It re-affirms how important testing is.
Beck Depression Scale
The Beck Depression Scale in Conclusion
The Beck Depression Scale is a tool that is designed to help you in the assessment of depression and the level of that depression. The information contained within these pages are designed to help you to understane The Beck Depression Scale.
Beck Depression Scale



