Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a brief questionnaire used to measure the severity of depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. Complete the interactive PHQ-9 below to receive your score and symptom severity range instantly.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
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?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PHQ-9?
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a brief nine-question screening questionnaire used to measure the severity of depressive symptoms. It asks how often you have experienced several common difficulties over the past two weeks, including low mood, loss of interest, sleep difficulties, low energy and/or problems concentrating.
What does the PHQ-9 measure?
The PHQ-9 measures the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms. It also includes a separate question about how much these difficulties have affected your ability to work, manage things at home or get along with other people.
How is the PHQ-9 scored?
Each of the nine questions is scored from 0 to 3:
Not at all = 0
Several days = 1
More than half the days = 2
Nearly every day = 3
The nine responses are added together for a total score between 0 and 27.
What does my PHQ-9 score mean?
The scoring guide included with the PHQ-9 groups scores into five ranges:
0–4: None to minimal
5–9: Mild
10–14: Moderate
15–19: Moderately severe
20–27: Severe
These categories describe the severity of reported depressive symptoms. A score by itself does not establish a diagnosis of depression.
Is the PHQ-9 a diagnostic test for depression?
No. The PHQ-9 is a screening and symptom-severity questionnaire rather than a standalone diagnostic test.
The PHQ-9 guidance specifically states that depression should not be diagnosed or ruled out solely on the basis of a PHQ-9 score. A more complete assessment considers the person's responses alongside their circumstances and other relevant information.
What time period should I think about when answering?
Answer based on how you have been feeling during the past two weeks. For each question, choose the response that best represents how often that particular problem has bothered you during that period.
Can the PHQ-9 be used to track changes over time?
Yes. The PHQ-9 can be repeated over time to help monitor changes in depressive symptoms. The scoring guidance specifically notes that both the numerical score and functional status can be measured after treatment begins to assess improvement.
Why does the PHQ-9 ask about thoughts of death or self-harm?
Question 9 asks whether you have experienced thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself.
A response to this question deserves attention, but the questionnaire alone cannot determine someone's level of suicide or self-harm risk. If you are experiencing these thoughts, consider discussing them with a qualified healthcare or mental health professional. If you believe you may act on them or are in immediate danger, seek urgent help or contact emergency services.
Who developed the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 was developed as part of the PRIME-MD work by Drs. Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues. The scoring document cites the 2001 validation study by Kroenke, Spitzer and Williams in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
