π§ PHQ-9 Depression Screening
The 9-question clinical screen. Answer for the last 2 weeks.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:
A screening tool, not a diagnosis. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 (US) now.
The PHQ-9 is the depression screening clinicians actually use: nine questions mapping to the nine DSM criteria for major depression, scored 0 to 27. A score of 10 or above flags clinically significant symptoms with good sensitivity. Answer for the last two weeks, honestly, and read what the score means, including what to do next.
How to Take This Screening
Answer each question for the last 2 weeks. There are no trick questions and no "right" answers.
Answer all nine questions based on the last two weeks, not just today.
Read your score: 0-4 minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 moderately severe, 20-27 severe.
Act on the band: 10+ deserves a clinician conversation. Any self-harm thoughts deserve one today: call or text 988.
Scoring and What It Means
Kroenke, Spitzer, and Williams validated the PHQ-9 in 2001: at a cutoff of 10, sensitivity and specificity for major depression both run about 88 percent, excellent for nine questions. The score also measures severity and tracks treatment response: a 5-point drop is the usual marker of meaningful improvement, and remission is typically defined as falling below 5. Clinics re-administer it at follow-ups for exactly this reason.
Question 9 deserves its own paragraph. Any score above zero on thoughts of being better off dead or hurting yourself warrants prompt professional contact, regardless of the total. It does not mean you will act on the thoughts; most people who endorse it do not. But it is the item clinicians never ignore, and neither should you. In the US, call or text 988 any time; the UK has Samaritans at 116 123; most countries have an equivalent.
Worked Example
Answers: interest 2, mood 1, sleep 2, energy 1, appetite 2, self-worth 0, concentration 1, psychomotor 2, self-harm 0. Total = 11: moderate depression symptoms, above the clinical cutoff of 10. The pattern (sleep, appetite, energy, psychomotor changes) is the somatic cluster common in moderate depression. Recommended next step: discuss with a primary care doctor or therapist; treatment options include psychotherapy, medication, or both. Retake in a month: a drop to 6 would signal real improvement.
What the Score Does Not Do
It does not diagnose. Major depression requires a clinical interview ruling out bipolar disorder, medical causes (hypothyroidism, anemia, sleep apnea all mimic depression), substance effects, and grief. High scores happen in burnout, and the treatment differs. Low scores do not invalidate suffering: atypical presentations and good test-taking can both hide real depression. The PHQ-9 is a thermometer, not the doctor: it measures, the clinician interprets.
It also does not measure everything that matters: anxiety, trauma, and functional impairment ride alongside and need their own assessment. If your score is high, mention the full picture at the appointment: sleep, substances, medical history, life stressors. The score opens the conversation; the interview finishes it.
Treatment That Works
For mild depression: exercise, sleep hygiene, behavioral activation, and watchful waiting help many. For moderate and above: psychotherapy (CBT and interpersonal therapy have the strongest evidence) and antidepressants, alone or combined, with combined treatment generally most effective for severe depression. Medication takes 4-6 weeks for full effect; early side effects often fade. Newer options (esketamine, TMS) exist for treatment-resistant cases. The single most important fact: depression is highly treatable, and most people who get treatment improve substantially. A score of 11 is not a life sentence; it is a treatable health problem with a number on it.
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For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PHQ-9?
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9: nine questions mapping to DSM depression criteria, scored 0-27. Developed by Kroenke, Spitzer, and Williams (2001), it is the most widely used depression screening and severity tool in primary care worldwide.
How is the PHQ-9 scored?
Each question scores 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day); sum all nine. Bands: 0-4 minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 moderately severe, 20-27 severe. A score of 10+ indicates clinically significant symptoms.
What PHQ-9 score indicates depression?
10 or above flags likely major depression with ~88% sensitivity and specificity, warranting clinical evaluation. But diagnosis requires a clinician interview; the score screens, it does not diagnose.
What should I do if my PHQ-9 is high?
Discuss it with your primary care doctor or a mental health professional. Effective treatments exist: psychotherapy, medication, or both. If you have any thoughts of self-harm, seek help today: call or text 988 (US).
What does question 9 on the PHQ-9 mean?
It asks about thoughts of being better off dead or hurting yourself. Any score above 0 deserves prompt professional attention, regardless of the total score. It is the item clinicians always follow up.
Can the PHQ-9 track treatment progress?
Yes, that is a major use: a 5-point drop marks meaningful improvement, and falling below 5 defines remission in many protocols. Clinics re-administer it at follow-ups to measure response objectively.
Is the PHQ-9 accurate?
Well-validated: ~88% sensitivity and specificity for major depression at the 10 cutoff. Limitations: it cannot rule out bipolar disorder or medical mimics, and cultural factors affect reporting. Clinical interview remains the diagnostic standard.
Can medical conditions mimic depression on the PHQ-9?
Yes: hypothyroidism, anemia, sleep apnea, vitamin deficiencies, and some medications produce fatigue, concentration problems, and low mood. A good evaluation checks these before diagnosing depression.
What is the difference between PHQ-9 and PHQ-2?
PHQ-2 is the 2-question ultra-brief screen (interest + mood); a score of 3+ triggers the full PHQ-9. Clinics use PHQ-2 for speed and PHQ-9 for assessment and monitoring.
Where can I get help for depression?
Start with your primary care doctor, who can evaluate and refer. In the US, call or text 988 for crisis support; text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. UK: Samaritans 116 123. Treatment works: most people improve substantially.