Assessment

PHQ-9 Depression Screening

The PHQ-9 is the most widely used depression screening tool in clinical practice. Nine questions about the past two weeks. It measures how much depressive symptoms are interfering with your daily functioning and provides a severity score with clinical context.

Format

9 items, ~2 minutes

Privacy

Runs in your browser. No data stored on any server.

What it measures

  • Depression severity over the past two weeks
  • Nine specific symptom domains: interest/pleasure, mood, sleep, energy, appetite, self-worth, concentration, psychomotor changes, and suicidal ideation
  • Functional impairment: how much these symptoms are making daily life difficult
  • A total severity score from 0 to 27
Take the PHQ-9

What your score means

Score Severity What it means
0 to 4 Minimal Symptoms at this level are within the normal range. No clinical intervention indicated.
5 to 9 Mild Some depressive symptoms present. Self-help strategies, exercise, and monitoring are often sufficient. Worth retaking in 2 to 4 weeks.
10 to 14 Moderate Symptoms at this level typically warrant professional evaluation. Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral or behavioral activation approaches, is effective at this severity.
15 to 19 Moderately severe Active treatment is recommended. Therapy alone or therapy combined with medication evaluation, depending on the clinical picture and patient preference.
20 to 27 Severe Immediate professional evaluation recommended. At this severity, combined treatment (therapy plus medication) typically produces better outcomes than either alone.

What to do next

Scores 0 to 9: Monitor and maintain

Your symptoms are in the minimal to mild range. Evidence-based self-help includes regular exercise (30 minutes, 3 to 5 times per week), consistent sleep schedules, and social connection. Retake the PHQ-9 monthly to track any changes.

Scores 10 to 14: Consider professional support

Moderate depression responds well to structured therapy. A consultation can help determine whether individual therapy, a group program, or guided self-help is the right fit for your situation.

Scores 15+: Seek professional evaluation

At this severity, professional treatment produces significantly better outcomes than self-management alone. If you're scoring in this range, scheduling an evaluation is the most effective next step.

Request a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Is the PHQ-9 a diagnosis of depression?

No. The PHQ-9 is a screening tool that measures symptom severity. It tells you how much depression is affecting your daily life right now, but a clinical diagnosis requires a full evaluation by a licensed professional.

How often should I take the PHQ-9?

Clinicians typically administer the PHQ-9 every two to four weeks during treatment to track change over time. If you're monitoring on your own, monthly is reasonable. The value is in the trend, not any single score.

What if my score is high?

A score of 15 or above indicates moderately severe to severe depression. This level of symptoms typically responds better to professional treatment than self-help alone. A consultation can help determine whether therapy, medication evaluation, or both are appropriate.

Will my results be stored?

No. The PHQ-9 runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server. Your results stay on your device.