The Beck Depression Test is a type of psychological test which is used to measure the intensity of mental depression. It was developed by famous American psychiatrist Dr. Aaron T. Beck. This test opened up a new dimension for health care professionals. Earlier, most psychiatrists believed that the cause of depression was related to the Freudian theory of unconscious psychological forces underlying the human behavior. However, the Beck Depression test, the first of its kind, determined that the root cause of depression lies within the patient’s thoughts alone.

Beck Depression Inventory

Beck Depression Inventory or Scale, is now a commonly used instrument, that helps to evaluate the mental state of an individual and measure the severity of his/her depression. It consists of a form with a set of twenty-one multiple-choice questions which a patient needs to fill up. The questionnaire is formatted in such a manner, that it can suit any individual, aged 13 or above. All the questions are related to various common symptoms and personality traits of depression. Every question has four answers. Each answer has been rated between 0 and 3, according to the intensity of depression symptoms. Read the rest of this entry »