bdi2

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess the severity of depressive symptoms in individuals aged 13 and older. Developed by Aaron T. Beck and his colleagues, it is one of the most widely used and validated instruments for measuring depression. The BDI-II consists of 21 items, each representing a different symptom or attitude associated with depression.

Respondents rate themselves on each item using a four-point scale, indicating the degree to which they have experienced the symptom over the past two weeks. The items cover a range of emotional, cognitive, somatic, and vegetative aspects of depression, such as sadness, pessimism, guilt, self-dislike, suicidal thoughts, fatigue, appetite changes, and sleep disturbances. The total score provides an indication of depression severity, typically categorized into ranges from minimal depression to extremely severe depression.

The BDI-II is frequently used in clinical settings for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring treatment progress. Its psychometric properties, including reliability and validity, have been extensively studied and generally support its use in research and clinical practice. However, like any self-report measure, interpretation of the BDI-II scores should be done in conjunction with a thorough clinical evaluation. It is important to note that the BDI-II is not intended to be a standalone diagnostic tool.