Burns Depression Checklist (BDC)
The Burns Depression Checklist, developed by David Burns, is a 25-question self-report scale that assesses the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. It covers emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms and is often used to track symptoms within a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) framework.
- Questions
- 25
- Est. time
- ~10 min
- Delivery
- Online · remote
- Scoring
- Automatic
What does the Burns Depression Checklist (BDC) measure?
- •Emotional symptoms (sadness, hopelessness, guilt)
- •Cognitive symptoms (negative thoughts, worthlessness)
- •Physical and motivational symptoms (sleep, appetite, loss of interest)
Who is it for?
Used to screen and monitor depressive symptoms in adults.
How is the Burns Depression Checklist (BDC) scored and interpreted?
Questions are scored 0–3; the total ranges from 0 to 75. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity. Screening for suicidal ideation is recommended at mild levels and above.
| Score range | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5 | No depression | Reported depressive symptoms are negligible. |
| 6–10 | Borderline / mild unhappiness | Subthreshold, borderline depressive symptoms. |
| 11–25 | Mild depression | Mild symptoms; suicidal ideation should be screened. |
| 26–50 | Moderate-to-severe depression | Clinically significant; active treatment plan advised. |
| 51–75 | Extreme depression | Very high symptom level; urgent evaluation advised. |
Frequently asked questions
How many questions does the Burns Depression Checklist have?
+
It has 25 questions, each scored 0–3, with a total from 0 to 75.
What does a high score mean?
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Higher scores reflect greater symptom severity; 26+ indicates moderate-to-severe and 51+ extreme symptoms. Interpretation rests with the professional.
Does this test diagnose depression?
+
No. This is a screening/assessment tool; it does not provide a clinical diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Related scales
Source: Burns, D. D. (1984).
This page is informational and does not contain the actual questions. The Burns Depression Checklist (BDC) is a screening/assessment tool and does not provide a diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Administer the Burns Depression Checklist (BDC) to your clients
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