PHQ-9 Depression Assessment Calculator

The PHQ-9 is a validated screening tool used by healthcare professionals to assess depression severity. This calculator helps evaluate how often you've experienced certain symptoms over the past two weeks.

Important: This tool is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you're experiencing thoughts of self-harm, please seek immediate professional help or call a crisis hotline.

Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?

Question
Not at all
(0)
Several days
(1)
More than half
the days
(2)
Nearly every day
(3)
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
Important: If you selected anything other than "Not at all" for question 9, please seek immediate professional help or contact a crisis hotline.

About the PHQ-9

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used, validated tool for screening and measuring depression severity. It consists of nine questions based on the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the DSM-IV.

For detailed information on the clinical validation and research behind the PHQ-9, see: PHQ-9 Validity: Brief Depression Severity Measure

Score Interpretation:

  • 0-4: Minimal depression
  • 5-9: Mild depression
  • 10-14: Moderate depression
  • 15-19: Moderately severe depression
  • 20-27: Severe depression

When to Seek Help:

Consider speaking with a healthcare provider if:

  • Your score is 10 or higher
  • You answered anything other than "Not at all" to question 9
  • Your symptoms are interfering with your daily life
  • You're concerned about your mental health

Related Resources:

Learn more about depression and treatment options:

Crisis Resources:

If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide:

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • Emergency Services: 911

FAQs

What do PHQ-9 scores mean?

0 to 4 is minimal, 5 to 9 mild, 10 to 14 moderate, 15 to 19 moderately severe, and 20 to 27 severe depression. A score of 10 or more is the usual point at which a clinician takes a closer look.

Is the PHQ-9 a diagnosis?

No. It is a validated screening and severity tool. A diagnosis of depression is made by a clinician who considers your full history.

What if I scored on question 9?

Question 9 asks about thoughts of being better off dead or of hurting yourself. Any answer other than “Not at all” deserves a conversation with a professional soon, whatever your total score. In the US you can call or text 988 at any time.

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