Because Beck never intended the BDI to be used for diagnosing depression (1, 2), much of the extended debate over whether it can be used in this way is misplaced. Most commentators agree that although the BDI is sensitive, it may have low specificity, and that high scores on the BDI cannot be taken as diagnostic for depression (8). For example, Oliver and Simmons found that “the number of subjects scoring depressed on the BDI was about 21⁄2 times the number diagnosed by the DIS” (22, pp893–894). Respondents who receive intermediate scores on the Beck should be considered dysphoric, and only with a fuller clinical interview should they be termed “depressed” (8, p297). With this warning, the BDI is one of the best depression screening tools available.