CES – DEPRESSION SCALE
Instructions: Circle the score (0, 1, 2 or 3) for each statement that best
describes how often you felt this way during the past week.
Rarely or none
of
the
time
(less than 1
day)
Some or a little
of the time (1-2
days)
Occasionally or
a
moderate
amount of the
time
(3-4
days)
Most or all of
the time (5-7
days)
1. I was bothered by things that
usually don’t bother me
0
1
2
3
2. I did not feel like eating; my
appetite was poor
0
1
2
3
3. I felt that I could not shake
off the blues even with help
from my family & friends
0
1
2
3
4. I felt that I was just as good
as other people
0
1
2
3
5. I had trouble keeping my
mind on what I was doing
0
1
2
3
6. I felt depressed
0
1
2
3
7. I felt that everything I did
was an effort
0
1
2
3
8. I felt helpful about the future
0
1
2
3
9. I felt my life had been a
failure
0
1
2
3
10. I felt fearful
0
1
2
3
11. My sleep was restless
0
1
2
3
12. I was happy
0
1
2
3
13. I talked less than usual
0
1
2
3
14. I felt lonely
0
1
2
3
15. People were unfriendly
0
1
2
3
16. I enjoyed life
0
1
2
3
17. I had crying spells
0
1
2
3
18. I felt sad
0
1
2
3
19. I felt that people disliked me
0
1
2
3
20. I could not ‘get going’
0
1
2
3
SCORING THE CES – DEPRESSION SCALE
The 20 item scale is reliable and valid self-report inventory that samples
feelings of depression during the previous week.
Items 4, 8 and 16 are ‘reverse items’; score these items as follows:
3 = 0
2 = 1
0 = 3
The total score is calculated by adding together the score for each item.
Range: 0 – 60
OUTCOMES:
0-9
Suggests that the individual is not depressed
10-15
Suggests mild depression
16-24
Suggests moderate depression
24 +
Severe depression