Assessments / Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Depression ⏱ 3 min 📋 9 questions

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

9-item depression screening (Kroenke, Spitzer & Williams, 2001)

Feeling down or lost interest over the past two weeks? PHQ-9 is the most widely used depression screening tool worldwide. Its 9 items directly correspond to DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder. Excellent reliability (α=0.89), the perfect companion to GAD-7.

What Is Depression?

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent sad mood and loss of interest or pleasure in activities (anhedonia), accompanied by physiological and cognitive symptoms. Depression is different from everyday sadness — it is persistent, intrusive, and affects work, study, and relationships.

About the PHQ-9

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was developed by Kroenke, Spitzer & Williams (2001) and is the most widely used depression severity screening tool globally. Its 9 items directly correspond to the 9 DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, making it uniquely valuable for both clinical and research settings. Takes 2-3 minutes to complete.

Psychometric Properties:

  • Internal consistency: α = 0.89 (Kroenke et al., 2001)
  • Test-retest reliability: r = 0.84
  • At cutoff ≥10: sensitivity 88%, specificity 88% (for major depressive disorder)

Scoring

Each item rates symptom frequency over the past two weeks:

  • 0 = Not at all
  • 1 = Several days
  • 2 = More than half the days
  • 3 = Nearly every day
Total score ranges from 0-27:
  • 0-4: Minimal depression
  • 5-9: Mild depression
  • 10-14: Moderate depression
  • 15-19: Moderately severe depression
  • 20-27: Severe depression

Relationship with GAD-7

PHQ-9 and GAD-7 are the most commonly paired screening tools in clinical practice (they can be combined into the PHQ-4 ultra-short screener). Using them together provides a comprehensive initial assessment of both anxiety and depression.

Important Note

This is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Positive screens should be confirmed through clinical interview. If you have a high score or concerns about your mental health, please consult a qualified mental health professional. If you have thoughts of self-harm (item 9 score ≥1), please contact a crisis hotline or emergency services immediately.

Scoring Guide

Total score 0-27. 0-4=Minimal, 5-9=Mild, 10-14=Moderate, 15-19=Moderately severe, 20-27=Severe. At cutoff ≥10: sensitivity 88%, specificity 88%. Note: Screening tool, not diagnostic.

Result Interpretation

After completing the 9 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:

  • Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
  • Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
  • Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available

All results are displayed instantly on screen. No account, email, or login required.

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