Depression Test PHQ-9
A clinically validated screening tool for depression. Answer based on how often you have been bothered by each problem over the last 2 weeks.
0 of 9 answered
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?
Question 1 of 9
Little interest or pleasure in doing things
Question 2 of 9
Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
Question 3 of 9
Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
Question 4 of 9
Feeling tired or having little energy
Question 5 of 9
Poor appetite or overeating
Question 6 of 9
Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
Question 7 of 9
Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
Question 8 of 9
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
Question 9 of 9
Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way
About the PHQ-9
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is one of the most widely used and validated tools for screening, diagnosing, monitoring, and measuring the severity of depression. It is based on the nine diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder from the DSM-5.
The PHQ-9 is used by healthcare providers worldwide and has been validated in numerous clinical studies across diverse populations. It is freely available in the public domain.
Scoring
Citation
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16(9):606-613.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a clinically validated 9-item self-report tool used worldwide to screen for depression and measure its severity.
Is the PHQ-9 depression test accurate?
Yes. The PHQ-9 has been validated in hundreds of studies and has a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 88% for detecting major depressive disorder at the standard cutoff of 10.
How long does the PHQ-9 take?
The PHQ-9 takes 2–3 minutes to complete. It consists of 9 questions about how you have felt over the past 2 weeks.
Can this test diagnose depression?
No. The PHQ-9 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Only a qualified healthcare provider can diagnose depression. A high score suggests you should seek professional evaluation.