GDS-15: Geriatric Depression Scale
The GDS-15 (Geriatric Depression Scale, 15-item short form) is a 15-item yes/no self-report questionnaire that screens for depression in older adults. It keeps somatic items to a minimum, since these can inflate scores in older adults with medical illness. A score of 5 or above indicates possible depression.
For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.
GDS-15 Score Interpreter
Enter a total score to see its range.
15 yes/no items; 10 score 1 point for 'Yes' and 5 reverse-scored items score 1 point for 'No'. Higher scores indicate more depressive symptoms.
Total score Interpretation 12+ Severe depressive symptomsScore in the severe range; clinical evaluation is strongly warranted. 8–11 Moderate depressive symptomsModerate symptom range; further clinical assessment is recommended. 5–7 Mild depressive symptomsAt or above the recommended screening threshold (≥5); further evaluation is advised. 0–4 Minimal depressive symptomsScore below the screening threshold; depressive symptoms appear minimal. ≥5 screening cutoff per Pocklington et al. 2016 meta-analysis (pooled sensitivity 0.89, specificity 0.77 across 32 studies). Finer severity bands reflect commonly used clinical convention.
The GDS-15 (Geriatric Depression Scale, 15-item short form) is a yes/no depression screening scale designed for older adults [1] [2]. Totals run 0 to 15, and 5 or above indicates possible depression [3].
Its simple yes/no format suits older adults.
What does the GDS-15 measure?
The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was developed by Yesavage, Brink and colleagues specifically to rate depression in older adults [1]. They started from a 100-item questionnaire and kept the 30 questions most highly correlated with the total score.
Traditional depression scales often conflate somatic symptoms (fatigue, sleep problems, weight changes) with medical illness common in older adults, leading to false positives. The GDS was designed to minimize somatic items and focus on psychological and behavioural aspects of depression. For the clinical picture, see major depression.
The original GDS contains 30 items. The GDS-15 short form uses 15 yes/no questions, making it faster to complete [2].
Stanford, where the GDS was developed, states that the original scale is in the public domain because it was partly the result of federal support.
How do you give the GDS-15?
The GDS-15 is designed as a self-report questionnaire, though it can also be read aloud by a clinician or interviewer. Each question is answered Yes or No.
Because cognitive impairment can affect self-report, many services pair it with a cognitive screen such as the MoCA or MMSE.
How do you score and interpret the GDS-15?
Ten items score 1 point for "Yes" and 5 items score 1 point for "No" (positive items are reverse-scored). Total scores range from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms. A cutoff of ≥5 indicates possible depression warranting further evaluation [3].
The GDS does not directly assess suicidality; use the C-SSRS or another dedicated risk assessment when this is a concern.
Psychometric properties
- Original 30-item GDS. It was internally consistent and correlated with the number of Research Diagnostic Criteria symptoms better than the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale [1].
- GDS-15 at a cutoff of 5. A meta-analysis of 32 studies found pooled sensitivity of 0.89 and specificity of 0.77 [3].
- Later meta-analysis. Across 53 studies (17,018 participants), the GDS-15 had pooled sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 79%, with an AUC of 0.90 [4].
Limitations
- Screening, not diagnosis. A score at or above 5 calls for clinical evaluation; it does not establish a diagnosis.
- Suicidality not assessed. The GDS-15 does not directly screen for suicide risk; use dedicated risk assessment when this is a concern.
- Possible reporting bias in the evidence. The 2016 meta-analysis noted possible selective reporting of cutoff scores and advised caution in reading pooled accuracy [3].
- Severity bands are convention. Only the ≥5 screening cutoff is supported by the cited meta-analysis; the mild, moderate and severe bands are commonly used clinical convention.
- Self-report. Answers depend on the person's insight and willingness to disclose symptoms.
For depression screening in younger adults, the PHQ-9 is the usual choice.
For individuals: This page is a clinical reference, not a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your own symptoms, bring this information to a qualified mental health professional.
Billing
In the US, the GDS-15: Geriatric Depression Scale is usually billed under these CPT codes. Payer rules vary.
References
- 1.Yesavage JA, Brink TL, Rose TL, et al. Development and validation of a geriatric depression screening scale: a preliminary report. J Psychiatr Res. 1982–1983;17(1):37–49.View source
- 2.Sheikh JI, Yesavage JA. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): recent evidence and development of a shorter version. Clinical Gerontology: A Guide to Assessment and Intervention. Haworth Press. 1986:165-173.
- 3.Pocklington C, Gilbody S, Manea L, McMillan D. The diagnostic accuracy of brief versions of the Geriatric Depression Scale: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016;31(8):837–57.View source
- 4.Krishnamoorthy Y, Rajaa S, Rehman T. Diagnostic accuracy of various forms of geriatric depression scale for screening of depression among older adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2020;87:104002.View source
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Cuijpers P, et al. World Psychiatry. 2021;20(2):283–93. - Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
ACT reduced depressive symptoms compared with control groups in a meta-analysis of 18 studies with 1,088 participants.
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FAQ
How is the GDS-15 scored?
The GDS-15 contains 15 yes/no questions. Ten items score 1 point for a 'Yes' answer; the remaining 5 positively worded items are reverse-scored and score 1 point for a 'No' answer. Total scores range from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms.
What score on the GDS-15 indicates possible depression?
A score of 5 or higher is the commonly recommended threshold for possible depression, warranting further clinical evaluation. A 2016 meta-analysis by Pocklington et al. found this cutoff achieved pooled sensitivity of 0.89 and specificity of 0.77 across 32 studies. Scores of 0–4 suggest minimal depressive symptoms.
Is the GDS-15 self-administered or clinician-administered?
The GDS-15 is designed as a self-report questionnaire, though it can also be administered by a clinician or interviewer. Its simple yes/no format suits older adults. It is not a substitute for a full clinical evaluation.
Can the GDS-15 diagnose depression?
No. The GDS-15 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. A score at or above the screening threshold indicates that further evaluation by a qualified clinician is warranted. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive clinical assessment.
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