GDS-15

Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form)

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Your privacy: Screening results are stored only on this device and are never sent to our servers. You can share results with your provider using a secure link.

Over the past week, choose the answer that best describes how you have felt.

Are you basically satisfied with your life?
Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?
Do you feel that your life is empty?
Do you often get bored?
Are you in good spirits most of the time?
Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?
Do you feel happy most of the time?
Do you often feel helpless?
Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing new things?
Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most people?
Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?
Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now?
Do you feel full of energy?
Do you feel that your situation is hopeless?
Do you think that most people are better off than you are?

Meridian Mental Health

Clinical screening form

For clinical use — retain with the record

GDS-15 — Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form)

Over the past week, choose the answer that best describes how you have felt.

Client name

Date of birth

Date administered

Clinician

Meridian does not collect client-identifying information on screen — complete this section by hand.

#	Item	No	Yes
1	Are you basically satisfied with your life?	(1)	(0)
2	Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?	(0)	(1)
3	Do you feel that your life is empty?	(0)	(1)
4	Do you often get bored?	(0)	(1)
5	Are you in good spirits most of the time?	(1)	(0)
6	Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?	(0)	(1)
7	Do you feel happy most of the time?	(1)	(0)
8	Do you often feel helpless?	(0)	(1)
9	Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing new things?	(0)	(1)
10	Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most people?	(0)	(1)
11	Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?	(1)	(0)
12	Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now?	(0)	(1)
13	Do you feel full of energy?	(1)	(0)
14	Do you feel that your situation is hopeless? *	(0)	(1)
15	Do you think that most people are better off than you are?	(0)	(1)

* Safety-flagged item — see note below.

* Safety-flagged item

A response above 0 on the marked item warrants a direct safety assessment (ideation, plan, intent, access to means) regardless of the total score. If risk is imminent, call or text 988, or call 911.

Total score / 15

Severity

(0/15 answered on screen — score by hand)

Severity key
Score	Severity	Guidance
0–4	Normal range	Scores of 0–4 are considered within the normal range. If concerns remain despite a low score, trust the concern — the GDS is a screen, not the final word.
5–8	Mild depression suggested	Scores of 5 or more suggest possible depression and warrant a fuller evaluation by a primary care provider or mental health clinician. Depression in later life is not normal aging — and it is treatable.
9–11	Moderate depression suggested	Scores in this range suggest moderate depressive symptoms. A clinical evaluation is recommended — bring these results to a primary care provider, or contact your community mental health center.
12–15	Severe depression suggested	Scores of 12+ suggest significant depressive symptoms. Prompt evaluation is strongly recommended. Effective treatment exists at every age — please share these results with a provider soon.

Sheikh JI, Yesavage JA. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Recent evidence and development of a shorter version. Clinical Gerontologist. 1986. Public domain. Items 1, 5, 7, 11, and 13 are reverse-scored (a 'No' answer scores one point).

This form is a scoring aid, not a diagnosis. A score alone never establishes or rules out a clinical diagnosis — interpret alongside clinical judgment. Printed Aug 20, 2026 from Meridian Mental Health.

Learn more

Mental Health in Older AdultsDepression and anxiety are not normal aging. How late-life depression hides, telling depression from dementia, suicide risk in older adults, and the treatments and NH supports that work.14 min read Understanding DepressionWhat depression actually is, the major types, how it's diagnosed, why it happens, and the treatments that work.14 min read Grief & LossThe many shapes of grief, why the 'five stages' is often misunderstood, and how to support yourself and others.12 min read

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