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The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is one of the most reliable and widely used psychometric tools for assessing the severity of depression. This questionnaire specifically focuses on identifying and measuring various symptoms of depression, including feelings of hopelessness, irritability, guilt, and a sense of punishment, as well as physical signs such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and disinterest in social activities.

History of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was first introduced in 1961 by Dr. Aaron T. Beck, a psychiatrist and the founder of cognitive therapy. This tool was designed to measure the severity of depression and also serve as a screening instrument for depression. The original version of the BDI consisted of 21 items, each corresponding to a specific symptom of depression. Research has shown that the BDI has high reliability and validity and has been widely used in both research studies and clinical settings.

In 1996, the BDI was revised to include additional items and changes based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This revised version, known as BDI-II, is considered the most commonly used version of the questionnaire. The BDI-II includes 21 questions focused on assessing the symptoms and signs of depression over the past two weeks, helping mental health professionals diagnose the severity of depression in their patients and develop appropriate treatment plans.
Due to its simplicity, quick administration, and high validity in research and clinical practice, the BDI continues to be one of the most important tools for assessing depression worldwide.

Beck depression questionnaire

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) List

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) consists of 21 items, each corresponding to a specific symptom of depression. These items are divided into four main categories:

  1. Physical Symptoms: Includes physical signs associated with depression.
  2. Emotional Symptoms: Relates to feelings and emotional states.
  3. Cognitive Symptoms: Pertains to thoughts and perceptions of the individual.
  4. Behavioral Symptoms: Refers to changes in patterns of sleep and appetite.

Limitations of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Researchers have identified several potential limitations in using the BDI to measure depression. Some of these limitations are as follows:

  1. Self-report Bias: The BDI relies on the individual’s perception of their symptoms. This means that not all individuals experience depression in the same way, and some may have difficulty accurately reporting their symptoms.
  2. Focus on Depression Symptoms: This questionnaire is designed solely to assess depression symptoms and does not take into account other important factors such as family history or genetic predisposition.
  3. Lack of Consideration for Temporal Changes: The BDI functions as a static measure and does not account for changes in symptoms over time.
  4. Cultural Incompatibility: The questionnaire is not specific to any particular culture and may not be sufficiently accurate in assessing depression in individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Reliability and Validity of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is one of the most reliable and widely used tools for assessing the severity of depression. It is extensively utilized in both research and clinical psychology, and it has high validity and reliability characteristics.

Validity refers to the ability of a tool to accurately measure the intended trait. In the case of the Beck Depression Inventory, numerous studies have shown that this tool effectively identifies the signs and symptoms of depression. Reviews indicate that the BDI has a high correlation with other depression assessment tools, such as clinical scales, which demonstrates its high validity and reliability.

Reliability refers to the consistency of test results. The Beck Depression Inventory has shown stable results in various studies across different time points and populations. In other words, if an individual is repeatedly assessed using this questionnaire, the results will not show significant fluctuations. This feature has made the BDI a trusted tool for diagnosing and assessing depression.

How to Use the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a tool designed to assess the severity of depression. To use this questionnaire, you need to respond to all of its questions. Each question includes several statements that represent varying degrees of depression symptoms, from the mildest to the most severe. You should select the statement that best describes your current condition.

It is important to note that this questionnaire focuses on assessing symptoms and signs of depression and does not provide information about the etiology or underlying psychological processes related to depression. For a better understanding of the causes of depression and to determine appropriate treatment strategies, consulting with a licensed therapist or mental health professional is recommended.

Beck Depression Inventory Questions

Beck Depression Inventory Questions

The questions in the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II), consist of 21 items. Read the sentences in each question carefully and select the one that best describes how you have felt over the past two weeks. If more than one sentence applies to you, choose the one with the highest number. Do not select more than one sentence for any question.

Sadness

  1. I do not feel sad.
  2. I feel sad most of the time.
  3. I am always sad.
  4. I am so sad and unhappy that I can’t stand it.

Pessimism

  1. I am not pessimistic about my future.
  2. I feel more pessimistic about my future than I used to.
  3. I don’t expect things to get better.
  4. I have no hope for my future; I just know that things will get worse.

Feeling of Failure

  1. I feel like a failure.
  2. I have failed more than I deserve.
  3. When I look at my past life, I see nothing but failure.
  4. I feel like a completely defeated person.

Dissatisfaction

  1. I enjoy the things I used to enjoy as much as before.
  2. I no longer enjoy things around me as much as I used to.
  3. I enjoy fewer things that I used to find pleasurable.
  4. I don’t enjoy anything that I used to enjoy.

Guilt

  1. I don’t feel particularly guilty.
  2. I feel guilty about many things I have done or should have done in the past.
  3. Most of the time, I feel completely guilty.
  4. I always feel guilty.

Expectation of Punishment

  1. I don’t feel like I’m being punished.
  2. I feel like I might be punished.
  3. I expect to be punished.
  4. I feel like I am being punished.

Self-Dislike

  1. My feelings about myself are the same as always.
  2. I’ve lost my self-confidence.
  3. I am disappointed in myself.
  4. I don’t like myself.

Self-Blame

  1. I don’t criticize or blame myself more than usual.
  2. I criticize myself more than before.
  3. I criticize myself for all my mistakes.
  4. I blame myself for every bad thing that happens.

Suicidal thoughts

  1. I am not thinking about suicide at all.
  2. I think about suicide but I don’t do it.
  3. I want to kill myself.
  4. I would kill myself if I could.

to cry

  1. I don’t cry more than before.
  2. I cry more than before.
  3. I cry over every little thing.
  4. I feel like crying but I can’t.

Restlessness

  1. I’m not more restless or upset than usual.
  2. I feel more restless or upset than usual.
  3. I’m so restless and upset that I can’t calm down.
  4. I’m so restless and upset that I have to move around or keep myself busy.

Social Withdrawal

  1. I haven’t lost interest in people and things.
  2. I’m less interested in people and things than before.
  3. I’ve lost more of my interest in people and things.
  4. It’s very difficult for me to become interested in anything. (… that I can get interested in something)

Indecisiveness

  1. I can make decisions as I always have.
  2. Making decisions is more difficult for me than usual.
  3. I have more difficulty making decisions than before.
  4. I encounter difficulties in making any decision.

Worthlessness

  1. I don’t feel like I’m a worthless person.
  2. I don’t feel as valuable or useful as I did before.
  3. I feel less valuable compared to others.
  4. I feel like I have no value at all.

Loss of Energy

  1. My energy level is the same as always.
  2. I have less energy than before.
  3. I don’t have the energy to do many things.
  4. I have no energy to do anything.

Change in Sleep Pattern

  1. There has been no change in my sleep amount.
  2. (a) I sleep a little more than usual, or (b) I sleep slightly less than usual.
  3. (a) I sleep much more than usual, or (b) I sleep much less than usual.
  4. (a) I sleep most of the day, or (b) I wake up 1-2 hours earlier than usual in the morning and can no longer fall back asleep.

Irritability

  1. I am not more irritable than usual.
  2. I am more irritable than usual.
  3. I am much more irritable than usual.
  4. I am always irritable.

Change in Appetite

  1. My appetite has not changed.
  2. (a) My appetite is slightly less than usual, or (b) my appetite is slightly more than usual.
  3. (a) My appetite is much less than usual, or (b) my appetite is much greater than usual.
  4. (a) I have no appetite at all, or (b) I always have a strong desire to eat.

Difficulty in Concentration

  1. My concentration is as good as it was before.
  2. I can’t concentrate as much as usual.
  3. I can’t keep my mind focused on one thing for a long period of time.
  4. I feel like I can’t focus on anything at all.

Fatigue

  1. I’m not more tired or weak than usual.
  2. I feel more tired or weak than usual.
  3. I’m more tired or weak than I can do many of the things I used to do.
  4. I’m more tired or weak than I can do most of the things I used to do.

Decreased Sexual Interest

  1. There has been no recent change in my interest in sexual matters.
  2. My interest in sexual matters has decreased compared to before.
  3. My interest in sexual matters has decreased a lot right now.
  4. I have completely lost interest in sexual matters.

Interpretation of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Scores

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a reliable tool for assessing the severity of depression in individuals. The scoring of this questionnaire is designed so that the severity of depression can be determined by summing the scores from the selected options. In this questionnaire, the options are scored as follows:

  • First option: 0 points
  • Second option: 1 point
  • Third option: 2 points
  • Fourth option: 3 points

For example, if an individual selects the third option in the first question, the score for that question will be 2. After collecting the scores, the results are interpreted as follows:

  • Score 0-13: Indicates no depression or minimal severity
  • Score 14-19: Indicates mild depression
  • Score 20-28: Indicates moderate depression
  • Score 29-63: Indicates severe depression

In any of the test questions, if an individual scores 3 points, this is considered a sign of a serious problem. Special attention should be paid to responses to questions related to suicide (Question 9) and pessimism (Question 2).

If you are concerned about your level of depression, it is important to discuss your symptoms with a mental health professional. While the Beck Depression Inventory can be a useful tool for assessing your mental state, it should not be viewed as a substitute for professional counseling and treatment. Seeking help from a specialist or psychological clinic can assist you in better understanding your situation and finding effective strategies for managing depression.

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