How to Score the BDI

Mental-health professionals use the Beck Depression Inventory, or BDI, to gauge the level of depression in an individual and help the person know when to seek treatment. First used in 1961, the BDI has undergone several revisions --- the BDI-1A and the BDI II. The BDI contains a list of 21 items, and people completing the assessment must select on a scale of 0 to 3 how much each item describes the way they currently feel.

Instructions

Scoring the BDI

• 1

  Complete the BDI assessment yourself or have your patient complete the inventory.

• 2

  Add up the scores for each item. Point values range from zero to three for each question, and the inventory has 21 questions for a total of 63 possible points.

• 3

  Compare the total score to the scoring guide for the version of the BDI you used. Score ranges can vary but usually resemble a basic pattern. A score from 1 to 10 indicates no depression or perhaps a temporary slump. Scores in the range of 10 to 18 can indicate mild or moderate stages of depression. If the score falls between 19 to 29 it signifies moderate depression. A score from 30 to 63 indicates the severest depression.