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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

27,530 views

4,802 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

What You’ll See After You Finish the Test

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale, translated into plain, usable insights. Not just numbers, but what they actually mean for your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

A structured, clinically grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation — without alarmist language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how you compare to others. Your scores are placed in a statistical context, showing percentiles and trends based on anonymized platform data to help you understand what`s typical.

Practical
Recommendations

Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Detected
Insights

Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Psychologist

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

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.

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 here so you can see where you land.

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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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