Geriatric Depression Scale

Geriatric Depression Scale

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a self-report assessment used to identify depression in the elderly. The scale was first developed in 1982 by J.A. Yesavage and colleagues.

Pronunciation

Geriatric: /ˌjɛrɪˈatrɪk/ Depression: /dɪˈprɛʃ(ə)n/ Scale: /skeɪl/

Etymology

The term "geriatric" comes from the Greek gēras meaning "old age" and iatros meaning "physician". "Depression" is derived from the Latin deprimere, meaning "to press down". "Scale" in this context, originates from the Latin scala meaning "ladder", referring to the graded or stepped nature of the assessment.

Description

The Geriatric Depression Scale is specifically designed to measure depression in older adults. It is a self-report measure, meaning that the individual completes the questionnaire themselves, rather than it being administered by a clinician. The scale consists of 30 items, each of which is answered "yes" or "no". The items cover a range of depressive symptoms such as sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

Related Terms

• Depression
• Geriatrics
• Mental health
• Psychological assessment
• Suicidal ideation

See Also

• Beck Depression Inventory
• Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
• Patient Health Questionnaire

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Geriatric Depression Scale
• Wikipedia's article - Geriatric Depression Scale

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