Self-test · BDI

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Twenty-one groups of statements about mood, thoughts and physical symptoms that can come with depression. Choose the one in each group that best fits how you have felt this week.

21 questionsAbout 7 minConfidential resultValidated scientific scale
Read about the test before you start

Ready to start?

This questionnaire has 21 groups of statements, each about a particular topic. Read each group carefully, then choose the one statement that best describes how you have been feeling this week. Make sure you read all the statements in a group before choosing, and that you answer every group.

1Read each question calmly
2Pick what fits you best
3See your result and what it means
At the end we email you your result and save it in your account.
Question 1

1 – 4 to choose an answer · Enter for next

Done! Where should we send your result?

Enter your details and we’ll email you your result and what it means, and save it in your Kind Mind account so you can follow changes.

Your details are confidential and never shared.

Calculating your result...

0/ 63
Result

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What does your result mean? Read the details below

This test is an awareness tool and does not replace a diagnosis by a specialist.

What is the Beck Depression Inventory?

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was created by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck in 1961 and became one of the best-known questionnaires for measuring how severe depression is. This is the original 21-item version, in the Arabic translation by Dr Abdel-Sattar Ibrahim. Each group of four statements covers one area — such as sadness, hope for the future, guilt, sleep, appetite, energy and interest in others — and the statements move from no difficulty to a severe one.

Each group is scored from 0 to 3, so the total ranges from 0 to 63. A higher total means more, and more intense, symptoms of depression.

Who should take it?

The BDI is suitable for adults and young people aged 15 and over. It can help if you have been feeling down, tired, hopeless or self-critical and want a clearer picture of how much it is weighing on you, or if you want to follow changes during therapy.

How to take it

Think about this past week. In each group, read all four statements and pick the one that is closest to how you feel. If you are deliberately trying to lose weight at the moment, choose the first statement in the weight question. Answer every group honestly — it takes around five to ten minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Does this test diagnose depression?

No. The BDI measures the severity of symptoms, but a diagnosis can only be made by a qualified professional after a full assessment.

Why are the score ranges different from other BDI versions?

The ranges used here come from the Arabic form we use. Other versions, such as the BDI-II, use slightly different cut-offs, so scores are not always directly comparable.

What should I do with my result?

Whatever your score, if you are struggling it is worth talking to someone. A therapist can help you understand your result and decide on next steps with you.

What does your result mean?

  1. 0 – 9No depressionNo notable symptoms
  2. 10 – 15Mild depressionKeep an eye on how you feel
  3. 16 – 23Moderate depressionWorth talking to a specialist
  4. 24 – 36Severe depressionReach out to a specialist
  5. 37 – 63Very severe depressionSeek support as soon as possible

Your result is not a diagnosis, it is an indicator. A therapist reads it together with your whole story.

Medical review and sources

Sources: Beck AT, Ward CH, Mendelson M, Mock J, Erbaugh J. An inventory for measuring depression. Archives of General Psychiatry. 1961;4:561–571. Arabic translation: Ibrahim, A.-S.
Rights: Beck Depression Inventory © Aaron T. Beck. BDI is a trademark of Pearson. Arabic translation by Dr Abdel-Sattar Ibrahim. Used under licence.
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