Depression Test (CES-D)
20-question weekly check-in
How have you been feeling this past week? 20 questions about mood, appetite, sleep, energy, and more. About 5-7 minutes.
What Is Depression?
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent sad mood and loss of interest or pleasure in activities (anhedonia), accompanied by physiological and cognitive symptoms. Depression differs from everyday sadness — it is persistent, intrusive, and affects work, study, and relationships.
About the CES-D
The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) came out of Radloff's work at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in 1977. It was designed as a screening tool for the general population, not a clinical diagnostic instrument — that distinction matters. Its 20 items cover six core symptom clusters: depressed mood, positive affect (reverse-scored), somatic symptoms, interpersonal difficulties, psychomotor retardation, and sleep disturbance.
Psychometric Properties:
- Internal consistency: α = 0.85-0.90 (general population), α = 0.90 (patient samples)
- Test-retest reliability: r = 0.51-0.67 (2-8 week intervals)
- Good discriminant validity against clinical diagnoses
Scoring
Each item rates symptom frequency over the past week:
- 0 = Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)
- 1 = Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)
- 2 = Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)
- 3 = Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
Total score ranges from 0-60:
- 0-15: Minimal or no depressive symptoms
- 16-21: Mild depressive symptoms (cutoff ≥16: sensitivity 87%, specificity 70%)
- 22-25: Moderate depressive symptoms
- 26-60: Severe depressive symptoms
CES-D vs. PHQ-9 vs. BDI-II
| Scale | Population | Items | Time Frame | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CES-D | General population | 20 | Past week | Epidemiological screening, community research |
| PHQ-9 | Clinical/general | 9 | Past 2 weeks | Depression severity (DSM-5 aligned) |
| BDI-II | Clinical patients | 21 | Past 2 weeks | Clinical depression assessment (multi-domain) |
Important Note
This is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. If you have a high score or concerns about your mental health, please consult a qualified mental health professional.
Scoring Guide
Total score 0-60. 0-15=Minimal, 16-21=Mild (cutoff ≥16: sensitivity 87%, specificity 70%), 22-25=Moderate, 26-60=Severe. Note: 4 reverse-scored items (Q4, Q8, Q12, Q16). Screening tool, not diagnostic.Result Interpretation
Finish the 20 questions and you get your results straight away — no account, no sign-up, no waiting.
We calculate your total from your answers, then give you a plain-language explanation of what the numbers mean. Whenever possible, we also show how your results compare to population norms.
详细报告 📊
Get an in-depth analysis with dimension breakdowns, population comparisons, and actionable recommendations.