Have you ever felt persistently sad, low in energy, or mentally exhausted—without knowing if it’s just stress or something deeper?
If you’ve had those thoughts, you’re not alone. In fact, over 280 million people worldwide live with depression, according to the World Health Organization. But the good news is, there’s a practical, research-backed way to start understanding what’s going on—and that’s where the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) comes in.
Let’s explore what the MDI is, how it works, and how it can help you take control of your mental health today.
🧠 What Is the Major Depression Inventory (MDI)?
The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is a self-assessment questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization as a reliable tool to screen for depression and measure its severity.
Unlike some depression tools that only give a vague sense of your mood, the MDI is based on both ICD‑10 and DSM‑IV criteria—the two most widely used psychiatric classification systems in the world. That means it’s scientifically grounded, widely trusted, and applicable to both clinical and everyday settings.
And the best part? It’s completely free to use, without needing to visit a doctor first.
✅ What Makes MDI Unique?
Here’s why many mental health professionals—and patients—appreciate the MDI:
- Dual compatibility: It aligns with two diagnostic systems, giving more accurate and universal results.
- Self-rated: You can complete it by yourself, at home, in under 5 minutes.
- Measures severity: It doesn’t just say “yes” or “no” to depression—it tells you how severe it may be.
- Tracks progress: You can retake the test periodically to see how you’re improving or changing.
📝 What Does the MDI Include?
The MDI has 10 items, asking you how often you’ve experienced symptoms over the past two weeks. Each item is scored from 0 to 5:
- 0 = At no time
- 1 = Some of the time
- 2 = Slightly less than half of the time
- 3 = Slightly more than half of the time
- 4 = Most of the time
- 5 = All of the time
Here are some of the symptoms it assesses:
- Feeling low or sad
- Loss of interest in daily activities
- Reduced energy or fatigue
- Decreased self-confidence
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restlessness or slowed-down feeling
- Sleep disturbances
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Thoughts of self-harm or death
📊 How to Interpret the Results
Once you total your score, you can refer to the following scale:
- 0–20: No or minimal depression
- 21–25: Mild depression
- 26–30: Moderate depression
- 31–50: Severe depression
⚠️ Important: If you score high or feel unsure, please consult a mental health professional. A test result isn’t a diagnosis—it’s a starting point for deeper support.
🧭 Real-Life Example: Alex’s Story
Alex, a 27-year-old university student, had been feeling drained, unmotivated, and disconnected for weeks. Unsure if it was just academic pressure or something more, he searched online and took the MDI.
His score? 29—moderate depression.
That result pushed him to visit his campus counselor, where he began therapy and started making small daily changes like regular walks, journaling, and talking openly with friends. Today, he’s still on the journey—but he feels less alone and more empowered.
🤔 Why Should You Use MDI?
Here are just a few reasons why you might want to take the MDI:
- You’re feeling persistently down but unsure if it’s depression
- You want a scientifically valid tool you can use at home
- You’re considering getting help but don’t know where to start
- You’re tracking your mental health as part of self-care
- You want to support a friend or loved one who’s struggling
The MDI is not just a quiz—it’s a tool for self-awareness, empowerment, and taking back control.
💚 Final Thoughts: Your Mental Health Is Worth Checking In On
Taking the Major Depression Inventory is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength. It shows that you care enough about your well-being to pause, reflect, and take action.
Mental health, like physical health, benefits from early attention and consistent care. Whether you score low or high, what matters most is what you do next. Healing doesn’t happen overnight—but every step, every question, every honest answer moves you closer to understanding yourself more deeply.
You are not broken. You are becoming.
