InnerWell

Depression test (PHQ-9): Free and anonymous

The nine-item PHQ-9 gives a quick look at how severe depressive symptoms have been over the last two weeks.

Your answers are not saved or sent anywhere.

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 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
0/9 answered

What is the PHQ-9 depression test?

The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a short nine-item screening scale that asks how often you have had depressive symptoms over the last two weeks. It was developed by Robert L. Spitzer, Kurt Kroenke, Janet B. W. Williams and colleagues and is free to use. It is one of the most widely used depression screening tools in primary care and research worldwide, and has been translated into and studied in many languages.

The items cover loss of interest, low mood, sleep, energy, appetite, how you see yourself, concentration, slowed movement or restlessness, and thoughts of self-harm.

How is the PHQ-9 scored?

Each item is scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), so the total ranges from 0 to 27. The commonly used cut-offs are:

  • 0–4: minimal
  • 5–9: mild
  • 10–14: moderate
  • 15–19: moderately severe
  • 20–27: severe

How should I read my result?

Your score shows how often symptoms have been present over the last two weeks. It is a screening test and does not make a diagnosis. Only a psychologist, psychiatrist or doctor can diagnose depression through a proper assessment. Physical illness, medication, grief or intense stress can cause similar symptoms. A low score does not mean your difficulties do not matter, and a high score does not prove that you have depression.

Your answers are processed only in your browser; they are not saved or sent anywhere. When you close the page, the results are gone.

If you gave any answer other than "Not at all" to the last item (thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself), please talk to a professional whatever your total score is. If you are in an emergency, call 112 now.

What can I do after the test?

  • If your score is moderate or higher, consider talking to a mental health professional.
  • You can bring your result to the session; the professional will consider it alongside their own assessment.
  • You can repeat the test in a few weeks to track changes.
  • Daily steps such as sleep, movement and talking to people you trust can help, but they do not replace professional care.

On InnerWell you can filter verified experts who work with depression by language and topic and book an online session.

Source: Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16(9):606-13.

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