Beck Depression Inventory, what does it consist of?

The Beck Depression Inventory is one of the most used instruments when detecting depression. It is one of the most common tests in clinical practice for several reasons. The first, for having high reliability. The second, to allow us to differentiate that patient with a major depressive disorder from one who simply shows low mood.

This interesting instrument is now more than 50 years old. However, it has gone through several adaptations, the most important being the one made in 2011; moment in which we already had a version in Spanish to rise shortly, as that almost essential resource to evaluate both adult patients and adolescents from 13 years of age.

Likewise, the BDI-II (Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition) also has passed throughout this half century, through various filters and modifications to conform to the diagnosis of depressive disorders included in the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

It is, therefore, one of the most common tests in any context related to clinical, forensic psychology or in the area of ​​neuropsychology.

Beck Depression Inventory: What is it for?

The Beck Depression Inventory, with its different adaptations (BDI, BDI-II), was created by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck. This name should sound familiar to us basically because of one detail: this psychologist and professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania was the one who laid the foundations of cognitive therapy. At first, he devised it to address mood disorders, but later this approach became more important in many more areas.

Cognitive theory is based on the idea that there is a direct relationship between the thoughts and feelings we experience.. All of this, in turn, influences our behavior. Working on aspects such as our cognitive schemes, our beliefs or the conception we have of ourselves and what surrounds us is key to managing discomfort and generating change.

It was, therefore, in 1961 when Beck’s depression inventory appeared for the first time in the clinical setting. It was liked for several reasons: it was easy to understand for patients, easy to apply by specialists and most importantly, it was valid and reliable.

What does the Beck Depression Inventory measure and to whom does it apply?

The Beck Depression Inventory is used to screen for depression and its severity. It can be applied from the age of 13 and is a test in the form of self-report, that is, it is the patient themselves who performs the test by answering 21 items.

It should also be noted that the questions that appear in the test do not derive from any specific theory; something that does occur in other tests such as projective tests (family test, tree test, man in the rain test…)

In this case, The inventory is limited to presenting some questions that describe the most frequent clinical symptoms of psychiatric patients with depression. The person must assess for themselves whether or not they identify with these issues.

Application mode

The Beck Depression Inventory consists of 21 questions with 4 response types.. The latter range from 0 to 3 and describe the degree to which we identify with the reality described. In this case, 0 would be I do not identify at all and a 3 would describe a fact with which we identify almost 100%.

It can be applied individually or collectively.On average, it takes a patient no more than 5 or 10 minutes to complete the test. However, people with serious disorders, such as an obsessive disorder or major depression, usually need much more time. On the other hand, a very common occurrence usually happens: There are people who identify with more than one answer and cannot mark a single item. If this happens, we can allow them to mark up to two options, but when evaluating the test we will look at the option with the highest number.

What aspects does the inventory value?

As we have pointed out, This instrument is basically limited to describing the characteristics that arise in depressive disorders. These indicators are also supported by diagnostic manuals, and it is therefore the person who must indicate if they feel identified and to what degree.

The items that therefore appear in the Beck Depression Inventory are the following:

SadnessPessimismFeeling of failureLoss of pleasureFeelings of guiltFeelings of punishmentDissatisfaction with oneselfSelf-criticismSuicidal thoughtsCryingLoss of interestIndecisionLoss of energySleeping habitsIrritabilityChanges in appetiteConcentration problemsFatigueLoss of interest in sex

How is it evaluated?

The evaluation of this inventory is very simple. We limit ourselves to obtaining the total sum of the 21 items, so that in the end we will have a figure that can range from 0 to 63. In this way, four basic categories are established based on the results obtained:

0-13 low depression.14-19 mild depression20-28, moderate depression29-63 severe depression.

As we can well imagine, The real work comes after this first phase of interviews, evaluations and obtaining all the data and information about the patient. The Beck depression inventory is useful as a diagnostic technique, it is true, but the most decisive part begins later with psychological therapy.

We are, therefore, faced with an instrument that is as practical as it is valid when it comes to addressing the complex field of depressive disorders.

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