Depression Index Calculator
Estimate a depression index score by combining daily mood, energy level, and degree of social withdrawal into a single number. Use it to monitor low-mood episodes and spot worsening trends before they escalate.
About this calculator
The calculator distills three hallmark features of depression into a single index score using the formula: Depression Index = (22 − mood_rating − energy_level + social_withdrawal) / 3. Mood rating and energy level are positive indicators — higher values mean you are doing better — so they are subtracted to invert their contribution. Social withdrawal is a negative indicator — higher values mean you are more withdrawn — so it is added directly. The constant 22 anchors the formula so that minimum possible inputs (mood = 1, energy = 1, withdrawal = 1) yield a score of (22 − 1 − 1 + 1) / 3 = 7, while maximum inputs (mood = 10, energy = 10, withdrawal = 10) yield (22 − 10 − 10 + 10) / 3 ≈ 4. Scores range roughly from 1 to 10, with higher values indicating greater depressive indicators. This is a screening aid, not a clinical tool.
How to use
Suppose your daily mood rating is 3, your energy level is 2, and your social withdrawal score is 8 (you have been avoiding friends and family). Apply the formula: Depression Index = (22 − 3 − 2 + 8) / 3 = 25 / 3 ≈ 8.3. A score of 8.3 is high, indicating significant depressive indicators across all three dimensions. Low mood (3/10) and very low energy (2/10) are compounded by high withdrawal (8/10). If you rated withdrawal at 4 instead, the score drops to (22 − 3 − 2 + 4) / 3 = 7.0 — showing how social engagement can meaningfully reduce the index.
Frequently asked questions
What does a high depression index score mean and what should I do about it?
A high score (roughly 7 and above) suggests that your current mood, energy, and social engagement patterns are consistent with significant depressive symptoms. This does not constitute a clinical diagnosis but it is a meaningful signal to take seriously. You should consider speaking with a GP or mental health professional, particularly if the score has been high for two weeks or more. Early intervention — whether therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination — significantly improves outcomes for depression.
Why does social withdrawal increase the depression index score?
Social withdrawal is both a symptom and a driver of depression. When people feel low they tend to isolate themselves, which reduces access to social support and positive experiences, deepening the depressive cycle. In the formula, social withdrawal is added directly (rather than inverted like mood and energy) because higher withdrawal means worse outcomes. Even small increases in social contact — a phone call, a short walk with a friend — can break this cycle and show up as a lower score over time.
How is the depression index calculator different from a clinical depression assessment like the PHQ-9?
Clinical tools like the PHQ-9 are validated against large patient populations and have established diagnostic cut-off points recognized by medical guidelines. This calculator is a simplified, illustrative self-reflection tool based on three core depression markers. It is designed for personal awareness and trend-tracking rather than clinical diagnosis. The PHQ-9, for example, includes nine symptom domains and its scoring thresholds have been statistically verified. Always use a validated instrument and consult a healthcare professional if you suspect clinical depression.