PHQ-9 · Standard screening questionnaire
Depression Symptoms
Reflect on mood and related symptoms over the past two weeks to support a clinical conversation.
Over the past 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
Adult self-report · 9 items
Screening results can support a clinical conversation but cannot confirm or rule out a diagnosis on their own.
View score ranges and interpretation ↓
Having little interest or pleasure in doing things
Not at all / Several days / More than half the days / Nearly every day
Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
Not at all / Several days / More than half the days / Nearly every day
Having trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
Not at all / Several days / More than half the days / Nearly every day
Feeling tired or having little energy
Not at all / Several days / More than half the days / Nearly every day
Having a poor appetite or overeating
Not at all / Several days / More than half the days / Nearly every day
Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
Not at all / Several days / More than half the days / Nearly every day
Having trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
Not at all / Several days / More than half the days / Nearly every day
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
Not at all / Several days / More than half the days / Nearly every day
Having thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way
Not at all / Several days / More than half the days / Nearly every day
How to interpret PHQ-9 scores
The total ranges from 0 to 27 and reflects depressive symptoms over two weeks. These are symptom ranges, not diagnoses.
| Score / range | What it means | Suggested next step |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 points | None to minimal depressive symptoms Few depressive symptoms were reported over the past two weeks. | Keep track of your mood and discuss ongoing concerns with a clinician. |
| 5–9 points | Mild depressive symptoms Some depressive symptoms are present and worth monitoring. | Monitor mood, sleep and effects on daily life; consider a follow-up appointment. |
| 10–14 points | Moderate depressive symptoms The score reaches a commonly used threshold for further assessment. | Arrange an assessment to discuss support and treatment options. |
| 15–19 points | Moderately severe depressive symptoms Reported symptoms are more substantial and merit attention. | Seek assessment soon to review effects on daily life and discuss treatment. |
| 20–27 points | Severe depressive symptoms The reported symptom burden is high and warrants prompt assessment. | Contact a healthcare professional promptly for assessment and care. |
Any thoughts of death or self-harm on item 9 warrant timely discussion of safety and support, even with a low total. That item alone does not determine immediate danger.
Interpretation sources：PHQ / GAD developer scoring manual ↗ · Original PHQ-9 validation study ↗