Beck Depression Inventory: Uses, Reliability, Where to Take the Test

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistoryHow It’s UsedInterpretationItems on the Beck Depression InventoryLimitationsHow Reliable Is the BDI?Online Test

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

History

How It’s Used

Interpretation

Items on the Beck Depression Inventory

Limitations

How Reliable Is the BDI?

Online Test

Close

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a self-report questionnaire used to measure the severity of depression.

History of the Beck Depression Inventory

The original BDI consisted of 21 items, each of which corresponded to a symptom of depression. Dr. Beck and his colleagues found that the BDI had good reliability and validity. The BDI has been widely used in research studies and clinical practice.

In 1996, the BDI was revised to include additional items and to reflect changes in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The revised BDI, known as the BDI-II, is the most widely used version of the questionnaire.

How the Beck Depression Inventory Is Used

The BDI is used to measure the severity of depression. It can be used to screen for depression and monitor the course of treatment.

The BDI is not a diagnostic test, but it can help health care providers make adiagnosis. For the BDI-II, a score of 10 to 18 indicates mild depression, and 30 or above indicates severe depression.

The BDI can also be used to monitor the course oftreatment. A decrease in scores over time indicates that the person’s symptoms are improving.

Interpreting the Beck Depression Inventory

It is important to keep in mind that the BDI is a self-report measure. This means that it relies on the individual’s own perception of their symptoms.Some people may underestimate their level of distress, while others may exaggerate their symptoms.

If you are concerned about your level of depression, it is important to discuss your symptoms with a mental health professional.

The BDI-II includes 21 items, each of which corresponds to asymptom of depression.

The items are grouped into four categories:

Limitations of the Beck Depression Inventory

Researchers have identified several potential limitations of using the BDI in the measurement of depression.

Here are some of the limitations of the Beck Depression Inventory:

If you are concerned about your level ofdepression, it is important to discuss your symptoms with amental health professional.

The BDI has good reliability and validity.The test-retest reliability of the BDI-II ranged from 0.73 to 0.92, which means that the scores are consistent over time. The internal consistency of the BDI-II was 0.9, which means that the items on the questionnaire relate to each other and measure the same construct.

The BDI-II also has good convergent and discriminant validity.Convergent validity means that the BDI-II correlates highly with other measures of depression, such as the PHQ-9.

Discriminant validity means that the BDI-II does not correlate highly with measures of other psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety.

Where to Take the Beck Depression Inventory

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to take the Beck Depression Inventory or if you are a doctor looking to give it to your patients, there are a few versions available:

It is important to note that theofficialBDI is copyrighted and available onPearson’s website. There are several other depression screens that are not proprietary and are in the public domain for use. If you are concerned about your level of depression, it is important to discuss your symptoms with a mental health professional.

Depression ResourcesIf you are concerned about your level of depression, there are many resources available to help you.The National Institute of Mental Healthhas information on depression and its treatment.TheDepression and Bipolar Support Allianceprovides support and resources for people with mood disorders.TheAmerican Psychiatric Associationoffers a list of mental health providers in your area.

Depression Resources

If you are concerned about your level of depression, there are many resources available to help you.The National Institute of Mental Healthhas information on depression and its treatment.TheDepression and Bipolar Support Allianceprovides support and resources for people with mood disorders.TheAmerican Psychiatric Associationoffers a list of mental health providers in your area.

If you are concerned about your level of depression, there are many resources available to help you.

A Word From Verywell

If you are concerned about your level of depression, it is important to discuss your symptoms with a mental health professional. The Beck Depression Inventory can be a helpful tool in assessing your level of distress but should not be used as a replacement for professional help. There are many resources available to help you.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat1-800-273-8255for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat1-800-273-8255for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

14 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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