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Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) Test

Understand current depression symptoms in about 4 minutes. A trusted 20 item screener for ages 10 and up that supports quick follow up and ongoing progress tracking.

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Questions: 204 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

27,532 views

4,808 completions

1,692 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

39/60

Depressiveness Scale (DS)

Measures the severity of depressive symptoms experienced over the past week.

Normal range

Mild to moderate

Severe

0 – 17: Normal range | 18 – 30: Mild to moderate | 31 – 60: Severe

A score of 39 falls in the Severe range (31–60), indicating a high level of depressive symptoms over the past week.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Feeling persistently low

41%OF USERS

People who have felt down, empty, tired, or unmotivated lately and want a quick check of how strong those symptoms have been over the past week.

Therapy and self-monitoring

34%OF USERS

Clients already in counseling or under care who use the questionnaire periodically to track changes in mood, sleep, and concentration.

School and clinic screening

25%OF USERS

Psychologists, educators, or healthcare staff who screen adolescents and adults to identify who may need a fuller assessment or support.

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

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.

Practical
Recommendations

You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Powered
Insights

Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Therapist

Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

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.

Depression Scale (DS)

Average

28.5

Normal range

20.1 — 36.9

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It screens for depressive symptoms and estimates their severity over the past week. Results support decisions about follow-up assessment or monitoring.

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is designed for adults and adolescents approximately age 10–11 and older. For younger children and teens, a child-focused version is typically used.

What time period should responses cover?

Items refer to how the person felt or behaved during the past 7 days. Responses should reflect that week rather than long-term patterns.

How long does it take to complete, and how many items are included?

It includes 20 items and usually takes about 4 minutes to complete. Items are rated using brief frequency-based response options.

How should the results be interpreted?

Scores indicate level of symptom burden and are used for screening rather than diagnosis. Elevated scores warrant clinical review and, when appropriate, further evaluation.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) Test - Symptoms and Signs

depression

This self-report measure is used to screen for the presence and severity of depressive symptoms in community and clinical settings. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) assesses how frequently common depressive experiences have occurred over a recent time frame, supporting identification of individuals who may benefit from further evaluation.

The instrument contains 20 items and typically requires about 4 minutes to complete. It is widely used for initial symptom screening, research applications, and monitoring symptom change over time; scores should be interpreted in clinical context and are not diagnostic on their own. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was developed by Lenore S. Radloff.

Author: Lenore S. Radloff

Literature: Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory–II. Psychological Corporation. 1996.; Cicchetti, D., & Toth, S. L. Child maltreatment. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology. 2005.; Radloff, L. S. The CES-D scale: a self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement. 1977.; Achenbach, T. M., & Rescorla, L. A. Manual for the ASEBA school-age forms & profiles. University of Vermont, Research Center for Children, Youth, & Families. 2001.

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