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Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS)

Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) Test

Clarify depressive symptom severity in schizophrenia in about 2 minutes. A 9 item interview rating helps separate depression from other symptoms and track changes over time for timely care.

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Questions: 92 minutes

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08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

29,983 views

2,537 completions

2,132 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

23/27

Calgary Depression Scale (CDS)

Assesses the severity of depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia based on a clinician-administered interview.

None to low

Depressive symptoms

0 – 6: None to low | 7 – 27: Depressive symptoms

A score of 23 falls in the Depressive symptoms range, indicating a high level of depressive symptom severity on this scale.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Psychiatrists in outpatient care

41%OF USERS

Use it during routine schizophrenia follow-ups to quickly gauge depressive symptoms and track changes over time.

Inpatient mental health clinicians

34%OF USERS

Apply it on psychiatric wards to separate depression from negative symptoms and inform treatment decisions.

Community care case teams

25%OF USERS

Use it in community mental health settings to monitor mood shifts in people with schizophrenia and flag deterioration early.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

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Used in 52+ countries

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Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Calgary Depression Scale (CDS)

Average

15.7

Normal range

11.2 — 20.2

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this scale measure?

It rates the severity of depressive symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia. It is designed to separate depression from negative symptoms and psychotic features.

Who should complete the ratings?

A trained clinician completes the ratings after a brief clinical interview. Self-report completion is not intended.

How long does administration take and how many items are included?

Administration typically takes about 2 minutes. The scale includes 9 items.

What time frame should be used when scoring symptoms?

Use the period specified in the interview guide for each item. When unclear, base ratings on the most clinically significant presentation during the reference period.

How should the results be used in clinical care?

Use scores to document baseline severity and track change over time. Interpret results alongside the full clinical assessment and current risk evaluation.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) Test - Symptoms and Signs

depression schizophrenia

This clinician-rated measure is used to assess depressive symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia. The Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) is completed following a brief clinical interview and is intended to support structured evaluation in routine care.

It includes 9 items and typically takes about 2 minutes to administer. Developed by Jean Addington and Donald Addington, it is designed to help differentiate depressive symptoms from other features that may occur in schizophrenia and to support monitoring of symptom change over time. The Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) may be used to inform clinical decision-making when considered alongside other assessment data.

Author: Donald Addington, Jean Addington

Literature: Addington, D., Addington, J., & Maticka-Tyndale, E. Assessing depression in schizophrenia: The Calgary Depression Scale. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 1993.; Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Psychological Corporation. 1996.

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