Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)
A clinician's overview of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), one of the most widely used self-report measures of depression severity. What it covers, how it is scored, and its use in India.
Educational overview only. The BDI-II is copyrighted and published by Pearson; formal use requires a licensed copy. ElloMind does not reproduce the items or scoring; this page is educational only. For a free alternative, see the PHQ-9.
What it is
The Beck Depression Inventory, developed by Aaron T. Beck and now in its second edition (BDI-II), is a 21-item self-report questionnaire that rates the severity of depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. Each item is rated 0 to 3, giving a total from 0 to 63.
It is used for measuring severity and tracking change, in both clinical practice and research. Unlike the free PHQ-9, it is a copyrighted, published instrument.
If this test was given to you or your child
If you have been asked to fill in the Beck Depression Inventory, it is a short questionnaire — twenty-one groups of statements about the past two weeks, and for each you pick the one that fits you best. It usually takes five to ten minutes and you complete it yourself.
It is a way of putting a number on how heavy the last fortnight has felt, so that it can be talked about and tracked over time. Answer for how things have actually been, not how you think they should be. If any item about self-harm or not wanting to be here rings true, tell the person who gave it to you — that is exactly the kind of thing it is meant to open up, and help is available.
Reading the results
The BDI-II gives a single total, and a higher total means more depressive symptoms were reported over the past two weeks. It measures severity — how heavy things have been — not a diagnosis, and it is read alongside a clinical conversation rather than on its own.
One score is a snapshot of a fortnight, and it can move as things change, which is part of why it is repeated over time. What matters clinically is the trend and what sits behind the number, not a single figure in isolation. A questionnaire cannot replace talking to someone.
What it cannot tell you
It does not diagnose depression by itself, and it cannot say why someone feels the way they do. A high score is a reason to talk to a professional, not a conclusion.
It does not measure anxiety, trauma or other difficulties that often sit alongside low mood, and it says nothing about the causes or the right treatment — those come from a fuller assessment with a clinician.
Who can administer it in India
Although the BDI is self-completed, it is used and interpreted within professional practice, with a licensed copy. A score is meant to be discussed with the clinician who gave it, in the context of a fuller picture.
If a low mood is the concern, a GP, psychiatrist or psychologist can use a measure like this as one part of assessment. A number from an app or website, taken alone, is not the same thing.
Where to get assessed
The BDI-II is used within therapy, psychiatry and primary care rather than sought out on its own. If you are worried about your mood, a GP, psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor is the place to start, and they may use the BDI-II, the free PHQ-9 or a similar measure as part of the conversation. If you are in distress or thinking about self-harm, reach a mental-health professional or a helpline rather than waiting for a questionnaire.
Who it is for
It is used with adolescents and adults, aged roughly 13 and above, where a validated measure of depression severity is wanted. It complements, rather than replaces, clinical interview.
Although it is self-completed, it is used and interpreted within professional practice, with a licensed copy.
For clinicians
How it is administered
The person rates each of the 21 items 0 to 3 for the past two weeks; the clinician sums the total. Common BDI-II bands are 0 to 13 minimal, 14 to 19 mild, 20 to 28 moderate and 29 to 63 severe.
Because the items are copyrighted, formal use requires a licensed copy from the publisher; clinicians who want a free alternative often use the PHQ-9.
Use in India
The BDI has been translated and used across India, including in several regional languages. Clinicians consider the fit of the translation and cultural expression of distress when interpreting scores, and some prefer the free PHQ-9 for routine use to avoid licensing costs.
Looking for a quick self-check instead? The BDI-II is administered by a professional. For a private two-minute screen you can take yourself, try the free anxiety test, depression test or adult ADHD test, or browse all free mental-health tests.
Citation and sources
Beck, A.T., Steer, R.A., & Brown, G.K. (1996). Beck Depression Inventory-II. Pearson.
- Beck Depression Inventory (overview) — Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
Each of the 21 items is rated 0 to 3 for the past two weeks and summed, for a total from 0 to 63. Higher totals indicate greater depression severity.
Common bands are 0 to 13 minimal, 14 to 19 mild, 20 to 28 moderate and 29 to 63 severe depression.
The BDI-II has 21 items, each a small group of statements from which you choose the one that best fits the past two weeks. It usually takes five to ten minutes.
Both measure depression severity by self-report. The BDI-II is a copyrighted 21-item questionnaire requiring a licensed copy; the PHQ-9 is a free 9-item measure mapped to diagnostic criteria. Many clinicians use the PHQ-9 for routine screening to avoid licensing costs.
No. The BDI-II is copyrighted and published by Pearson, so it requires a licensed copy. The PHQ-9 is a free alternative many clinicians use.
This page is general educational information for professionals, not clinical or legal advice, and not a substitute for training in the instrument. ElloMind does not provide, sell or reproduce copyrighted test materials.