Loading Calculator...
Please wait a moment
Please wait a moment
Patient Health Questionnaire-9: A validated screening tool for depression severity
Select one answer for each question
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 are 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?
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Screen for depression and monitor severity over time |
| Validation | Extensively validated in primary care and specialty settings |
| Sensitivity | 88% for detecting major depression at cutoff of 10 |
| Specificity | 88% for detecting major depression at cutoff of 10 |
| Time Frame | Questions refer to symptoms over the past 2 weeks |
The PHQ-9 is a 9-item questionnaire that screens for depression based on DSM-5 criteria. It is widely used in primary care and mental health settings to identify depression and track treatment response.
No. The PHQ-9 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool. A high score suggests you should be evaluated by a healthcare provider who can make a formal diagnosis considering your full clinical picture.
If you're being treated for depression, your provider may have you complete it at each visit to track progress. For self-monitoring, monthly assessment is reasonable. If symptoms worsen, complete it sooner.
Some medical conditions can cause symptoms that overlap with depression (thyroid disorders, anemia, chronic pain). A healthcare provider can help determine if your symptoms are due to depression or another condition.
Yes, depression is highly treatable. Most people improve with therapy, medication, or a combination. Even severe depression can be treated effectively. Recovery is possible.
Sadness is a normal emotion that passes with time. Depression involves persistent symptoms lasting at least 2 weeks that significantly impact daily functioning. It includes physical symptoms like sleep and appetite changes, not just mood.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7: