The CAD is a 50-item self-report instrument that is sensitive to depressive symptomatology throughout the life span. It is closely aligned with the hallmarks of depression in children, adolescents, and adults as well as the additional seven criteria for major depressive episodes listed in the DSM-IV-TR™.

A single form is appropriate for individuals ages 8 to 79 years

• The CAD Total Scale, symptom scales (i.e., Depressed Mood, Anxiety/Worry, Diminished Interest, Cognitive and Physical Fatigue), and critical item clusters (i.e., Hopelessness, Self-Devaluation, Sleep/Fatigue, Failure, Worry, Nervous) represent a well-defined and theoretically supported measure of depressive symptomatology.
• Three validity scales—Inconsistency, Negative Impression, and Infrequency—make the assessment more efficient than other well-known depression assessment scales (e.g., BDI^®-II, Hamilton Depression Inventory).
• Critical item clusters identify behaviors with known risk factors for potential self-harm.
• An optional scoring program, the CAD-SP, scores and profiles an individual’s performance on the CAD Rating Form after hand-entry of an individual’s demographic information and item responses.