PHQ-9 Depression Screening Tool
A validated 9-question assessment for depression symptoms
Important Disclaimer
This PHQ-9 screening tool is not a diagnostic instrument. It provides a preliminary assessment of depression symptoms based on your responses. Only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose depression. If you're in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please contact emergency services or a crisis hotline immediately.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
4. Feeling tired or having little energy
5. Poor appetite or overeating
6. Feeling bad about yourself — or that you're a failure or have let yourself or your family down
7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite — being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual
9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way
If you checked off any problems, how difficult have these problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?
Understanding the PHQ-9 Depression Screening Tool
The PHQ-9 depression screening is one of the most widely used tools for assessing depression symptoms in clinical practice and research. This PHQ-9 questionnaire consists of nine questions that correspond to the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the DSM-5.
How the PHQ-9 Scoring Works
Each of the nine items in the PHQ-9 test is scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), providing a total score range of 0-27. The PHQ-9 scoring guidelines suggest these severity ranges:
| Score Range | Depression Severity | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | Minimal depression | Monitor; may not require treatment |
| 5-9 | Mild depression | Watchful waiting; repeat PHQ-9 |
| 10-14 | Moderate depression | Treatment plan, counseling or therapy |
| 15-19 | Moderately severe depression | Active treatment with medication and/or therapy |
| 20-27 | Severe depression | Immediate treatment, possible hospitalization |
Benefits of the PHQ-9 Assessment
The PHQ-9 assessment provides several advantages for both clinicians and individuals:
- Quick administration: Takes less than 3 minutes to complete
- Evidence-based: Validated against clinical interviews
- Trackable: Allows monitoring of symptoms over time
- Comprehensive: Covers all DSM-5 criteria for depression
- Accessible: Available as a PHQ-9 PDF or PHQ-9 online tool like this one
Note About Question 9
Any positive response to question 9 (thoughts of self-harm) should be taken seriously. If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact a mental health professional immediately or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
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Trusted Mental Health Resources
National Institute of Mental Health
Comprehensive depression information from the NIH
American Psychiatric Association
Professional resources about depression
Anxiety & Depression Association
Information on depression and anxiety disorders
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Support and education for mental health