Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

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The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a well-established self-assessment tool I provide here on the blog. It focuses on common symptoms of depression and asks you to reflect on how often you’ve experienced them during the past two weeks. These questions cover areas such as mood, sleep, energy, appetite, concentration, and daily functioning.

The PHQ-9 is not a diagnostic tool, but it can help you build awareness of your mental health and give you insight into whether your symptoms might be mild, moderate, or severe.

Completing the PHQ-9 can help you:

  • Recognize patterns in your mood and daily life.
  • Track changes in symptoms over time.
  • Share structured information with a healthcare professional if you decide to seek support.

How to Take the Test

  • Read each question carefully and answer based on your experiences in the last two weeks.
  • Try to be as honest and accurate as possible.
  • When you finish, your result will appear automatically.

Understanding Your Result

  • Higher scores can point to more severe symptoms that may interfere with daily functioning.
  • Lower scores usually indicate minimal or mild symptoms of depression.
  • Mid-range scores may suggest moderate levels of depression.
PHQ-9 Assessment Form
A. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?Not at all (0)Several days (1)More than half the days (2)Nearly every day (3)
Q1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
Q2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
Q3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
Q4. Feeling tired or having little energy
Q5. Poor appetite or overeating
Q6. Feeling bad about yourself or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
Q7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
Q8. 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
Q9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way

If this question feels close to home, support is available right now: in the US, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7), or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). If you might act on these thoughts, call your local emergency number.

B. 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?Not difficult at allSomewhat difficultVery difficultExtremely difficult

If you are in crisis: if you are thinking about harming yourself, or feel you may act on those thoughts, please reach out now. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). Outside the US, call your local emergency number. This questionnaire is educational only and cannot help in an emergency.

ScoreWhat this range can mean
0-4Minimal. This score suggests few or no symptoms of depression. Many people keep an eye on how they feel and check in again if things change.
5-14Mild. This score suggests symptoms are present and may be getting in the way of daily life. Many people talk with a healthcare professional about support options.
15-19Moderate. This score suggests symptoms are frequent and affecting daily life. Many people talk with a healthcare professional about support options and next steps.
20 or higherSevere. This score suggests symptoms are strong and hard to manage day to day. Many people reach out to a healthcare professional soon to talk about support options.

One small thing that may help tonight

Low mood and poor sleep often travel together. Join the free email list and we will send you Sleep Better Tonight, a free one-page PDF with a 10-minute evening wind-down routine. Print it and keep it by the bed.

Other self-assessments

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