PHQ-9 Depression Screening Score
Calculate your PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire) score to screen for depression severity.
Rate 9 symptoms over the past 2 weeks.
What Is the PHQ-9? The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a validated clinical tool for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring depression. It was developed by Drs. Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams, and Kurt Kroenke in 1999 in the United States. It is one of the most widely used depression screening instruments in primary care worldwide.
Scoring Scale For each of the 9 items, rate how often you have been bothered over the past 2 weeks:
- 0 = Not at all
- 1 = Several days
- 2 = More than half the days
- 3 = Nearly every day
Interpretation
| Score | Severity |
|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal or no depression |
| 5–9 | Mild depression |
| 10–14 | Moderate depression |
| 15–19 | Moderately severe depression |
| 20–27 | Severe depression |
Important Note Question 9 (thoughts of self-harm) is always reviewed independently, regardless of total score. Any score > 0 on question 9 warrants immediate clinical follow-up.
Disclaimer This is a validated screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A high score does not mean you have depression — only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose. If you are in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 (US).