Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale

Patients should be asked whether they have experienced these 16 negative feelings and four positive feelings in the past week. Score 1 for "yes" on negative questions and 0 for "no." Positive questions are scored in reverse. A score of 9 or higher indicates depressive symptoms and warrants further examination.

1. I was bothered by things that usually don’t bother me.
2. I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor.
3. I felt I could not shake off the blues even with help from my family and friends.
4. I felt I was just as good as other people.
5. I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing.
6. I felt depressed.
7. I felt that everything I did was an effort.
8. I felt hopeful about the future.
9. I thought my life had been a failure.
10. I felt fearful.
11. My sleep was restless.
12. I was happy.
13. It seemed I talked less than usual.
14. I felt lonely.
15. People were unfriendly.
16. I enjoyed life.
17. I had crying spells.
18. I felt sad.
19. I felt that people disliked me.
20. I could not get going.

Source: Ostir GV, Markides KS, Peek MK, et al. The association between emotional well-being and the incidence of stroke in older adults. Psychosom Med 2001; 63:210-215.