Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form PDF – Overview
The Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form (GDS) is a screening test originally developed by J.A. Yesavage and colleagues in 1982 that is used to identify symptoms of depression in older adults. The scale is a 30-item, self-report instrument that uses a “Yes/No” format. It can be used with healthy adults, medically ill adults, and those with mild to moderate cognitive impairments.
The GDS is frequently used in acute, long-term, and community settings, often part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment. While a depression diagnosis should not be given based on the result of the GDS alone, it is often included as part of a diagnostic assessment due to the scale’s established reliability and validity.
Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form
How the Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form is Scored
A point is given for each answer that indicates depression. For example, in the above questions, one point would be given if the person answered “no” for the first question and “yes” for the second question. The GDS form usually has the answer that could indicate depression underlined or bolded, to indicate the responses for which a point is given.
On the full 30-question long-form, a score is considered normal if it’s between 0–9; an indicator of mild depression is between 10–19, and a positive for severe depression is between 20–30. If you’re using the five-item version, a score of two or more is indicative of depression.
Given below are the question asked in Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form
Questions of Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form
Instructions: Choose the best answer for how you felt over the past week.
- Are you basically satisfied with your life? YES / NO
- Have you dropped many of your activities and interests? YES / NO
- Do you feel that your life is empty? YES / NO
- Do you often get bored? YES / NO
- Are you hopeful about the future? YES / NO
- Are you bothered by thoughts you can t get out of your head? YES / NO
- Are you in good spirits most of the time? YES / NO
- Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you? YES / NO
- Do you feel happy most of the time? YES / NO
- Do you often feel helpless? YES / NO
- Do you often get restless and fidgety? YES / NO
- Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing new things? YES / NO
- Do you frequently worry about the future? YES / NO
- Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most? YES / NO
- Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now? YES / NO
- Do you often feel downhearted and blue? YES / NO
- Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now? YES / NO
- Do you worry a lot about the past? YES / NO
- Do you find life very exciting? YES / NO
- Is it hard for you to get started on new projects? YES / NO
- Do you feel full of energy? YES / NO
- Do you feel that your situation is hopeless? YES / NO
- Do you think that most people are better off than you are? YES / NO
- Do you frequently get upset over little things? YES / NO
- Do you frequently feel like crying? YES / NO
- Do you have trouble concentrating? YES / NO
- Do you enjoy getting up in the morning? YES / NO
- Do you prefer to avoid social gatherings? YES / NO
- Is it easy for you to make decisions? YES / NO
- Is your mind as clear as it used to be? YES / NO
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