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  • The Beck Depression Inventory allows primary care providers and mental health professionals to gain insight into their patient's mindset and gauge their level of depression. There is the traditional, 21-question test as well as the shorter seven-question test designed specifically for use by primary care doctors.

    Significance

    The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) consists of a series of questions designed for patients with psychiatric disorders. These questions determine how intense, severe and lasting the patient's depression is and gives them a number score based on their answers.

    Effects

    Someone who scores a 0-9 on the BDI exhibits minimal signs of depression, and someone with a score of 10-16 has mild depression. A score of 17-29 indicates moderate depression, and scores ranging from 30-63 warn a psychologist that their patient is severely depressed.

    History

    The BDI was invented by Aaron T. Beck in 1961. According to the University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry, Beck is the Father of Cognitive Therapy as well as one of the five most influential psychotherapists in history.

    Considerations

    While originally designed to be used in mental health facilities, the BDI is now commonly used in primary care facilities as well. Primary care providers are able to administer the test in only five to ten minutes as part of a regular medical or psychological exam.

    Types

    There are a total of 21 questions on the traditional Beck Depression Inventory and question things such as a patient's mood, pessimism, sense of failure, body image, social image and issues, physical manifestations of depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior.

    Source:

    Pallipedia: Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI)

    University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry: Aaron T. Beck, M.D.

    Health Line: Beck Depression Inventory

    More Information:

    All On Depression Help: Beck Depression Scale or Inventory

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