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Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The CSDD is a clinician-rated depression scale designed for people with dementia, combining caregiver interview and direct patient observation. It includes 19 items across mood, behavior, physical signs, cyclic functions, and ideational disturbance domains (0-2 each; total 0-38).
Formula: CSDD total = sum of 19 items scored 0-2 (range 0-38).
The CSDD was designed and validated specifically for depression detection in dementia and remains widely used in geriatric psychiatry and memory-care settings.
Higher CSDD totals indicate greater depressive symptom burden in a dementia context and support targeted mood-focused clinical follow-up.
Use when depression is suspected in patients with dementia or significant cognitive impairment where standard self-report tools may underperform.
Scores depend on quality of collateral history and observer training; overlap with apathy, delirium, and medical illness can confound interpretation.
For related assessments, see GDS-15, PHQ-9 and MoCA Score.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
Screen depressive symptoms in older adults using the 15-item GDS-15 yes/no questionnaire.
Mental HealthFree PHQ-9 depression screening questionnaire. Take the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to assess depression severity with instant scoring and interpretation. Also screen for anxiety with [GAD-7](/tools/gad7).
Mental HealthInterpret Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. The leading cognitive screening tool for mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
GeriatricsClassify SLUMS cognitive-screen totals (0-30) to support triage for fuller neurocognitive evaluation.