INTERPRETING THE BECK DEPRESSION INVENTORY
Now that you have completed the questionnaire, add up the score for each of the twenty-one questions by counting the number to the right of each question you marked. The highest possible total for the whole test would be sixty-three. This would mean you circled number three on all twenty-one questions. Since the lowest possible score for each question is zero, the lowest possible score for the test would be zero. This would mean you circled zero on each question. You can evaluate your depression according to the table below.
If your total score is between 1-10, then "these ups and downs are considered normal
If your total score is between 11-16, then your level of depression is "mild mood disturbance"
If your total score is between 17-20, then your level of depression is "borderline clinical depression"
If your total score is between 21-30, then your level of depression is "moderate depression"
If your total score is between 31-40, then your level of depression is "severe depression"
If your total score is over 41, then your level of depression is "extreme depression"