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Beck Depression Inventory

Worried that you might be suffering from depression? Check for symptoms with this science-backed online assessment.

Mark Travers, Ph.D.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D.

June 5, 2025

Mark Travers, Ph.D., is the lead psychologist at Awake Therapy, responsible for new client intake and placement. Mark received his B.A. in psychology, magna cum laude, from Cornell University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder. His academic research has been published in leading psychology journals and has been featured in The New York Times and The New Yorker, among other popular publications. He is a regular contributor for Forbes and Psychology Today, where he writes about psycho-educational topics such as happiness, relationships, personality, and life meaning. Click here to schedule an initial consultation with Mark or another member of the Awake Therapy team. Or, you can drop him a note here.

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Contrary to what many people believe, depression is more than just "feeling sad" or "having a rough day." It is both a serious and common mental health condition that can affect how a person thinks, feels and functions in daily life.

It may manifest as persistent feelings of emptiness, loss of interest in things once enjoyed, low energy, difficulty concentrating or changes in sleep and appetite. According to global estimates, hundreds of millions of people experience depression at some point in their lives; this makes it one of the most prevalent mental health issues worldwide.

Because depression can look different from person to person — and is often mistaken for mere "everyday struggles" — it often goes unnoticed or misunderstood. Recognizing the signs as early as possible is a key step in getting the right support and treatment. Left unaddressed, depression can take a severe toll on one's health, relationships and overall quality of life. But with awareness and the right resources, it is easily treatable.

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is a widely used, research-backed questionnaire designed to help individuals reflect on their emotional state. As a self-report tool, it gives users a structured way to explore whether the thoughts and feelings they've been experiencing might be consistent with symptoms of depression. While it's not a substitute for a professional diagnosis, the BDI-II can be an important first step in self-awareness — and a helpful guide for starting a conversation with a mental health professional.

References: Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. (1996). Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI-II) [Database record]. APA PsycTests. https://doi.org/10.1037/t00742-000.

Step 1: Rate the following statements based on how much you agree with them on a scale of strongly disagree to strongly agree.

1. I am so sad or unhappy that I can't stand it.

2. I feel my future is hopeless and will only get worse.

3. I feel I am a total failure as a person.

4. I can't get any pleasure from the things I used to enjoy.

5. I feel guilty all of the time.

6. I feel I am being punished.

7. I dislike myself.

8. I blame myself for everything bad that happens.

9. I would kill myself if I had the chance.

10. I feel like crying, but I can't.

11. I am so restless or agitated that I have to keep moving or doing something.

12. It's hard to get interested in anything.

13. I have trouble making any decisions.

14. I feel utterly worthless.

15. I don't have enough energy to do anything.

16. My sleeping patterns have changed significantly.

17. I am irritable all the time.

18. My appetite has changed significantly.

19. I find I can't concentrate on anything.

20. I am too tired or fatigued to do most of the things I used to do.

21. I have lost interest in sex completely.

0 of 0 questions answered

Step 2: Enter your age, gender, region, and first name so we can provide you with a detailed report that compares your test scores with people similar to you.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Check to make sure you've provided answers to all of the statements/questions above. Once you've done that, click the button below to send your responses to Awake Therapy's Lead Psychologist, Mark Travers, Ph.D. He will provide you with an overview of how you scored relative to others (all answers are anonymized and confidential to protect users' privacy). He can also answer any follow-up questions you may have.