Depression
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STEP 3: Does the patient screen positive for depression?
➤ Depression Screening Tools:
• Geriatric Depression Scale – 5 item
• Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia: appropriate for use when assessing the
prevalence of depression among nursing home residents with significant dementia.
(Refer to Appendix E)
• PHQ9 (Refer to Appendix F)
• PHQ9-OV: Observational Version of PHQ scale for screening for mood disorder
(Refer to Appendix H)
Assessment
STEP 2: Does the patient have any signs or symptoms of
depression?
Symptoms Suggestive of Depression
➤ Patients with several of the symptoms below for at least two weeks
may be suffering from depression:
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• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Decreased energ y, fatigue, being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Loss of appetite and/or unintended weight changes
• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical
cause and/or that do not ease with treatment
• Restlessness, irritability
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
