CESD‑R (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale – Revised)

What this looks at

The CESD‑R measures depressive symptoms over the past two weeks, including mood, hopelessness, concentration, sleep, appetite, and slowed thinking or movement.

You may want to take this if you:

• Want a more detailed depression measure than a brief screener
• Feel emotionally flat, fatigued, or withdrawn
• Are tracking changes in depressive symptoms over time

You may not need this if:

• You have already completed the PHQ‑9 and do not need a second depression measure
• Your primary concern is mood elevation rather than low mood

Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (Self‑Report)

What this looks at

This measure evaluates depressive symptoms in children and adolescents from the young person’s perspective.

You may want to take this if you:

• Are an adolescent experiencing sadness, irritability, or loss of interest
• Want to describe your own internal mood experience

You may not need this if:

• You are an adult (consider CESD‑R or other adult measures)
• The assessment is being completed solely by a parent

Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (Parent Version)

What this looks at

This parent‑report measure assesses depressive symptoms in children or adolescents based on observed behavior.

You may want to complete this if:

• You are concerned about your child’s mood
• Your child appears withdrawn, irritable, or tearful
• You want to provide observational input alongside your child’s self‑report

You may not need this if:

• The assessment is for an adult

CES‑DC (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children)

What this looks at

The CES‑DC measures depressive symptoms in children and adolescents, focusing on mood, energy, sleep, and social withdrawal.

You may want to take this if:

• You are evaluating depressive symptoms in a child or adolescent
• You want a structured child‑focused depression scale

You may not need this if:

• You have already completed the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire and do not need another child depression measure

General Behaviour Inventory (GBI)

What this looks at

The GBI assesses both depressive symptoms and hypomanic/manic symptoms, including mood elevation, decreased need for sleep, rapid thoughts, and behavioral activation.

You may want to take this if you:

• Experience significant mood swings
• Have periods of unusually high energy alternating with low mood
• Are unsure whether your symptoms reflect unipolar depression or bipolar spectrum patterns

You may not need this if:

• Your concerns involve only persistent low mood without periods of increased energy

This is a more comprehensive mood spectrum measure than brief bipolar screeners.

MDQ (Mood Disorder Questionnaire)

What this looks at

The MDQ is a screening tool for bipolar spectrum conditions. It focuses on lifetime history of hypomanic or manic symptoms.

You may want to take this if you:

• Have experienced episodes of unusually elevated or expansive mood
• Have had periods of decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
• Engage in impulsive or high‑risk behaviors during energetic phases

You may not need this if:

• You have never experienced periods of elevated mood or increased energy

This is a screening tool and is shorter than the GBI.

Male Depression Risk Scale

What this looks at

This measure evaluates externalizing or less traditionally recognized depression symptoms that may be more common in men, such as irritability, anger, risk‑taking, substance use, or emotional suppression.

You may want to take this if you:

• Do not identify with classic “sadness” but feel irritable or withdrawn
• Notice increased anger, risk‑taking, or emotional shutdown
• Suspect depression may present differently for you

You may not need this if:

• Traditional depression measures already clearly reflect your experience

This measure captures patterns that may not appear on standard depression scales.

Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)

What this looks at

The GDS assesses depressive symptoms in older adults, with less emphasis on physical symptoms that may overlap with aging or medical conditions.

You may want to take this if you:

• Are an older adult concerned about mood changes
• Want a depression measure designed specifically for later life

You may not need this if:

• You are a younger adult

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)

What this looks at

The EPDS screens for depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

You may want to take this if you:

• Are pregnant or recently gave birth
• Feel emotionally overwhelmed, tearful, anxious, or detached during the perinatal period
• Want to distinguish normal adjustment from clinically significant symptoms

You may not need this if:

• You are not in the perinatal period

This measure is specifically designed for pregnancy and postpartum mental health.