Depression Survey | 50+ Essential Screening Questions

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Top Secrets for Crafting an Insightful Depression Survey

When you set out to create a depression survey, clarity and empathy must lead the way. A well-built questionnaire can reveal patterns and pinpoint areas for intervention. Your goal is to gather honest feedback and actionable data without overwhelming respondents. Keep questions concise and approachable.

Start by choosing validated tools like the PHQ-9, a nine-item screening scale widely used in primary care. The brevity of the PHQ-9 makes it ideal for busy clinics. You can also review the Beck Depression Inventory for more depth. Linking to trusted sources builds your survey's credibility.

Imagine you're a school counselor gathering data on students' mood trends. You offer the survey at lunchtime in a private room. By saying, "This is confidential," you boost participation. That simple scene illustrates how thoughtful context improves response rates.

Sample questions bring precision. Ask: "Over the past two weeks, how often have you felt little interest or pleasure in doing things?" or "In the last month, how frequently have you experienced feelings of hopelessness?" These openers set a respectful tone.

Remember to balance open and closed questions. Use a mix of scales and yes/no items to capture both nuance and quick metrics. For inspiration, see our Survey Questions About Depression guide. Keeping survey length manageable encourages completion.

According to the World Health Organization, over 280 million people worldwide live with depression. Ground your design in facts like this to underscore the importance of robust data collection. Get it right, and your survey becomes a powerful tool for change.

Artistic 3D voxel visualization of depression survey matrix

Creative 3D voxel scene depicting mood assessment survey

5 Must-Know Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Depression Survey

Even the best depression survey can stumble if you overlook simple pitfalls. Leading or loaded questions erode trust. For example, asking "Don't you agree that life is hopeless?" skews results. Swap that for neutral phrasing like, "On a scale of 0 to 3, how often do you feel hopeless?"

Avoid overly technical terms that alienate respondents. Words like "anhedonia" may be precise but confusing. Instead, ask "Have you lost interest in hobbies or activities you usually enjoy?" This keeps your survey accessible to all ages.

Don't ignore your audience's context. In a college wellness check, timing is everything. Launching during finals week may spike stress and distort baseline data. Pilot your survey with a small group first to spot timing or clarity issues.

Another common misstep is overlooking anonymity. If participants fear identification, they'll withhold candid answers. Emphasize confidentiality right at the start and include a quick consent note. This builds rapport and honest data flow.

Sample question pitfalls can happen in wording: avoid double-barreled items like "Do you feel sad and anxious?" Break it into two clear questions. You could ask, "How often do you feel sad?" followed by "How often do you feel anxious?"

Review established scales such as the Beck Depression Inventory or the CES-D to see effective formats. Their layout and pacing can inspire your layout.

Need more examples? Check our Mental Health Survey Question Examples for creative question sets. And remember to test via a quick poll before full rollout. That final check keeps you from launching a flawed survey.

General Depression Survey Questions

These questions aim to capture a broad view of depressive symptoms and their impact on daily life. They help identify patterns of mood, energy, and interest that are common markers in clinical assessments. For a more detailed framework, see our Mental Health Survey .

Over the last two weeks, how often have you felt little interest or pleasure in doing things?
This question measures anhedonia, a key indicator of depression severity. It helps distinguish between occasional sadness and clinically relevant loss of interest.
How frequently have you experienced feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness?
Assessing the prevalence of negative emotions provides insight into mood disturbances. It also helps track symptom fluctuations over time.
In the past month, how often have you had low energy or felt fatigued?
Fatigue is a common somatic symptom of depression and can affect daily functioning. Monitoring energy levels supports comprehensive evaluation.
Have you noticed any changes in your appetite or weight recently?
Appetite and weight changes often accompany mood disorders and may signal an eating-related component. Including this helps detect physical manifestations of depression.
How well have you been sleeping, including difficulty falling or staying asleep?
Sleep disturbances are closely linked to mood regulation and cognitive function. This question screens for insomnia or hypersomnia patterns.
Do you find it hard to concentrate on tasks such as reading or watching TV?
Difficulty concentrating can indicate cognitive impairment associated with depression. Tracking this helps evaluate functional impact on daily activities.
Have you felt restless or slowed down in your movements and speech?
Psychomotor changes can be subtle signs of depression severity. This item helps identify visible slowing or agitation.
How often have you experienced irritability or been easily frustrated?
Irritability can present differently by age or gender and still reflect depressive mood. Recognizing it broadens the symptom profile.
Have you had recurrent thoughts of death or self-harm?
Assessing suicidal ideation is critical for safety and risk management. Including this question ensures urgent needs are not overlooked.
Overall, how much has depression interfered with your work, social life, or family responsibilities?
Understanding functional impairment provides context on daily life disruptions. It helps prioritize interventions based on real-world impact.

Depression Screening Questions

This set focuses on rapid identification of depressive symptoms and risk factors. It aims to highlight those who may benefit from a more comprehensive evaluation. For related tools, review our Survey Questions About Depression .

Have you experienced persistent sadness or emptiness that lasts most of the day?
Persistent low mood is a core criterion for depression. This question quickly screens for a sustained emotional state.
In the past two weeks, have you lost interest in activities you usually enjoy?
Anhedonia is a central feature of major depressive episodes. It distinguishes clinical depression from transient mood changes.
Do you find yourself avoiding friends, family, or social gatherings?
Social withdrawal often accompanies depressive states and can exacerbate feelings of isolation. Early detection helps guide support strategies.
Have you noticed any unexplained physical aches or pains?
Somatic symptoms can accompany depression, masking emotional distress. This question ensures a holistic symptom overview.
How often do you feel restless or unable to sit still?
Psychomotor agitation is a less obvious but important sign of depression. Including this identifies agitation versus slowed behavior.
Have you had difficulty making simple decisions?
Indecisiveness reflects cognitive slowing in depression. Assessing decision-making highlights potential daily challenges.
Do you find yourself criticizing or blaming yourself frequently?
Excessive self-blame is common in depressive thinking patterns. This item helps reveal negative thought cycles.
Have you experienced a drop in performance at work or school?
Declines in productivity often accompany mood disorders. Recognizing this can prompt timely academic or occupational support.
How often have you felt overwhelmed by daily responsibilities?
Feeling overwhelmed can signal reduced coping resources due to depression. This question assesses perceived ability to manage routine tasks.
Are you currently seeking any professional help or support for your mood?
Understanding help-seeking behavior informs treatment planning and resource referral. It also indicates readiness for interventions.

Postpartum Depression Survey Questions

These questions target emotional and physical experiences following childbirth. They help identify mothers who may be at risk of postpartum depression and guide support services. Learn more about caregiving and mood in our Emotional Health Survey .

Since giving birth, how often have you felt overwhelmed by caring for your baby?
Postpartum overwhelm can indicate mood disturbances and adjustment challenges. This question screens for caregiving stress.
Have you experienced feelings of guilt or inadequacy as a new parent?
Parental guilt is common but extreme self-criticism may signal depression. Including this helps detect harmful thought patterns.
How often do you feel detached or disconnected from your infant?
Detachment can be a red flag for bonding issues and depressive symptoms. Early identification supports mother - child relationship interventions.
Have you noticed significant changes in your appetite or sleep since delivery?
Physical changes postpartum can be mistaken for normal recovery. Distinguishing mood-related symptoms is crucial for accurate screening.
Do you find it difficult to concentrate or make decisions since your baby arrived?
Cognitive disruptions postpartum may be due to both sleep deprivation and depression. This item helps differentiate contributing factors.
How often have you felt like you're failing at motherhood?
Feelings of failure can exacerbate depressive symptoms and reduce self-efficacy. Assessing this guides supportive counseling.
Have you experienced intense mood swings or crying spells?
While hormonal changes can cause mood fluctuations, severe swings may indicate clinical depression. Monitoring frequency aids diagnosis.
Do you worry about harming yourself or your baby?
Self-harm or harm ideation requires immediate attention and safety planning. This question ensures critical risk factors are identified.
Are you able to find enjoyment in activities outside your baby's care?
Maintaining personal interests supports emotional well-being. Loss of enjoyment may reflect deepening depressive symptoms.
Have you discussed your mood with a healthcare professional?
Help-seeking behavior is an important step in recovery. Capturing this informs referrals and next steps for care.

Student Depression Survey Questions

This category addresses academic and social stressors that can contribute to depressive symptoms in students. It aims to support early detection and campus-based resources. For youth-focused screening, see our Good On Adolescents Depression Survey .

How often have you felt unmotivated to attend classes or complete assignments?
Academic disengagement can signal underlying mood issues. Tracking motivation helps schools identify students in need of support.
In the past month, have you felt isolated or disconnected from peers?
Social isolation often accompanies depression and can impact academic performance. Recognizing this guides peer support initiatives.
Have you experienced significant changes in your sleep pattern on school nights?
Sleep disruption is common among students with mood disorders. Monitoring sleep helps differentiate lifestyle factors from clinical concerns.
Do you find it difficult to concentrate during lectures or study sessions?
Concentration problems may reflect cognitive slowing due to depression. Including this question highlights potential learning barriers.
How often have you had negative thoughts about your academic abilities?
Self-critical thinking can undermine confidence and performance. This item identifies harmful belief patterns early on.
Have you noticed a drop in your grades or academic standing?
Objective changes in performance provide measurable indicators of distress. Early detection can prompt timely intervention.
Do you feel overwhelmed by balancing schoolwork, social life, and self-care?
Stress from multiple demands can trigger or worsen depressive symptoms. Assessing overwhelm helps plan resource allocation.
Have you ever considered dropping out or taking a break from your studies?
This question gauges severity of distress and potential academic outcomes. It informs retention and counseling efforts.
How comfortable are you seeking help from campus mental health services?
Help-seeking attitudes influence whether students access care. Understanding comfort levels guides outreach strategies.
Do you feel supported by friends, family, or faculty when you're struggling?
Perceived support is a protective factor against depression. Capturing this helps identify gaps in a student's support network.

Seasonal Depression Survey Questions

These questions delve into mood fluctuations related to seasonal changes, such as shorter daylight hours. They support screening for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and guide light therapy or lifestyle adjustments. Explore community resources in our Mental Health Awareness Survey .

Do you notice your mood declines during fall or winter months?
This question screens for seasonal patterns in mood changes linked to reduced sunlight. Identifying seasonal trends guides preventive measures.
How often do you feel more tired or lethargic when daylight is limited?
Daylight-related fatigue is a hallmark of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Measuring its frequency informs treatment options like light therapy.
Have you experienced increased appetite or carbohydrate cravings in colder months?
Carbohydrate cravings and weight gain may accompany SAD. This question helps address dietary changes related to mood.
Do you find it harder to wake up in the morning during winter?
Difficulty with waking can reflect circadian rhythm disruptions. Assessing this guides recommendations for sleep hygiene.
How often do you seek indoor or dimly lit environments in the off-season?
Preference for dark settings can reinforce negative mood states. This item screens for behavioral patterns linked to SAD.
Have you noticed a drop in social activities when seasons change?
Seasonal withdrawal can exacerbate loneliness and depression. Understanding social trends helps plan engagement strategies.
Do you use any light boxes or therapy lamps to improve your mood?
Self-reported use of light therapy indicates proactive management of seasonal symptoms. Capturing this shows resource utilization.
Have you ever been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Prior diagnosis informs risk level and treatment history. Including this helps tailor follow-up recommendations.
How often do you feel hopeless or down despite engaging in outdoor activities?
Low mood despite exposure to daylight suggests more severe symptoms. This question helps differentiate between general blues and SAD.
Do you plan your vacations or routines around seasons to help your mood?
Seasonal coping strategies reveal awareness and self-management practices. This item highlights positive adjustment techniques.