The global distress survey is a series of questions that describe your mood and emotions over the past four weeks. With each question, there are five different answers; "none of the time", "a little of the time", "some of the time", "most of the time", or "all of the time". Each answer has a corresponding number 1 through 5, and at the end, you total up all your answers to get what we call a GDS score. Technically speaking, the higher the score means the higher level of severity in depression one may be dealing with. Scores ranging from 0-11 can indicate low or normal levels of distress. Between 12 and 24 can indicate moderate distress. Between 25 and 38 can mean severe distress, and anything above 39 means very severe levels of distress. While taking the survey, you answer each question and then at the end press the "score my answers" button and the website should give you your GDS score. Based on your score, it is up to you if you want to seek more help or professional help. You can find hotlines and links to professionals in Marin on our "more help" page, or you can try some of the "Self help" tips to try to reduce levels of distress.