PHQ-9 Depression Test

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a self-administered diagnostic instrument for assessing the severity of depression. It is one of the most widely used screening tools in clinical practice and mental health research worldwide.

What does the PHQ-9 measure?

The test consists of 9 questions based directly on the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the DSM-5. It asks you to reflect on the past two weeks and evaluate how often you have been bothered by problems such as:

• Little interest or pleasure in doing things
• Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
• Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
• Feeling tired or having little energy
• Poor appetite or overeating

Is the PHQ-9 accurate?

Yes. Extensive clinical studies have demonstrated that the PHQ-9 has excellent reliability and validity. It is a powerful tool for assisting clinicians in diagnosing depression and monitoring treatment response. However, while it is highly accurate at measuring symptom severity, it should not replace a formal clinical diagnosis by a licensed mental health professional.

How to interpret PHQ-9 scores

Scores range from 0 to 27. Generally, the severity is categorized as:

• 0-4: Minimal or none
• 5-9: Mild
• 10-14: Moderate
• 15-19: Moderately severe
• 20-27: Severe