Cracking the Code How Is Depression Diagnosed Today
Psychological Testing and Screening Tools
In addition to clinical interviews, mental health professionals may use standardized screening tools to aid in the diagnosis of depression. Tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) are commonly used to quantify the severity of depressive symptoms and monitor changes over time3. These tools are not diagnostic by themselves but provide valuable information that complements the clinical evaluation.