The more symptoms of depression you have, the higher your score will be. Your score will appear as one of the following:

• You are unlikely to have depression.
• You may have mild to moderate depression.
• You may have moderate to severe depression.
• You may have severe depression.

As with all screening tools, this tool gives you a place to start. Keep in mind that a higher score does not necessarily mean that you have depression. Also, a lower score does not always mean you are depression-free. This tool can help you examine your feelings and think about whether your symptoms might be symptoms of depression. But using this tool is not a substitute for a thorough evaluation by your health professional. If you are concerned about any of your symptoms, seek medical help.