A symptom checklist to help clients reflect on signs of depression and consider whether a professional assessment may be helpful.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Depression is a common mental health condition characterized by prolonged low mood, reduced interest in activities, and diminished energy. The experience of depression can significantly impair functioning and impact quality of life. This symptom checklist offers clinicians and clients a practical way to explore whether an individual’s experiences may align with features of depression, as described in DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria. It is not intended to provide a diagnosis or assess severity, but it can support early discussions about whether further evaluation is warranted.
Depression often develops gradually and can go unrecognised. This resource helps structure early discussions in therapy:
For individuals experiencing persistent low mood, fatigue, and reduced interest.
For clients struggling to engage with previously enjoyable activities.
Gently introduce the possibility of depression using the suggested therapeutic prompt.
Complete the checklist with the client to identify patterns of emotional and behavioral change.
Reflect on responses in the context of functional impact and diagnostic criteria.
Use the insights to inform further assessment, psychoeducation, or therapeutic formulation.
Major depressive disorder is defined by core symptoms of persistent low mood and/or anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure), alongside a cluster of cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms. According to DSM-5, a diagnosis requires either depressed mood or anhedonia plus at least four other symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, appetite changes, feelings of worthlessness, impaired concentration, or thoughts of death.
Similarly, ICD-11 defines a depressive episode as a period of at least two weeks of depressed mood or reduced interest, accompanied by at least four additional symptoms such as hopelessness, low energy, impaired concentration, or sleep/appetite disturbance.
This symptom checklist is informed by both DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria. It is not intended to provide a formal diagnosis or assess severity but may support early recognition and therapeutic exploration. Clinicians can use it to validate a client’s experiences and facilitate conversations that may lead to further assessment.
