A depression diagnosis that warrants treatment or treatment change, needs at least one of the first two questions endorse as positive (little pleasure, feeling depressed) indicating the symptom has been present more than half the time in the past two weeks.

In addition the tenth question about difficulty at work or home or getting along with others should be answered at least "somewhat difficult".

When a depression diagnosis has been made patient preferences should be considered, especially when choosing between treatment recommendations of antidepressant treatment and psychotherapy.