Beck Depression Inventory
Twenty-one item self-report questionnaire measuring depression severity in adolescents and adults.
Full Definition
A widely-used, standardized assessment tool developed by Aaron Beck to measure the severity of depressive symptoms. The BDI-II, the current version, consists of 21 multiple-choice questions covering cognitive, affective, and somatic symptoms of depression experienced over the past two weeks. Each item is scored from 0-3, with total scores ranging from 0-63. Score interpretations include minimal depression (0-13), mild depression (14-19), moderate depression (20-28), and severe depression (29-63). The inventory is extensively validated and commonly used in both clinical practice and research settings to track treatment progress and outcomes.
Usage
Usage note: Specify BDI-II when referring to current version; distinguish from Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
In Context
- "Pre-treatment Beck Depression Inventory scores indicated severe depression with a total of 35." — Initial assessment report
- "Weekly BDI-II administration demonstrated steady improvement in depressive symptoms." — Treatment progress note