Depression test (PHQ-9)

The PHQ-9 is a widely used screening test for depression: 9 scored questions and 1 unscored question on daily difficulty. It takes about 2 minutes. Your answers about the last 2 weeks give a score from 0 to 27, in five official levels from none-minimal to severe. The result is not a diagnosis.

0 of 10 answered

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

  1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
  2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
  3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
  4. Feeling tired or having little energy
  5. Poor appetite or overeating
  6. Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
  7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
  8. 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
  9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way
  10. 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?

Result

Your result and its explanation will appear here after you answer all 10 questions.

About this questionnaire

  • The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) was developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams, Kroenke and colleagues. Doctors use it widely to screen adults for depression.
  • The questions, answers and scoring on this page are the official text, without changes. The levels follow the official instruction manual.
  • The questionnaire is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Only a doctor can diagnose depression, after a full assessment.

Scoring

  • Questions 1 to 9 score 0 (Not at all), 1 (Several days), 2 (More than half the days) or 3 (Nearly every day). The total is from 0 to 27. The last question is not scored.
ScoreResultMeaning
0–4None-minimalYou have few or no symptoms of depression. The official manual proposes no treatment action for this range.
5–9MildYou have mild symptoms of depression. The official manual proposes watchful waiting and repeating the PHQ-9 at follow-up.
10–14ModerateYou have moderate symptoms of depression. The official manual proposes a treatment plan, considering counselling, follow-up and/or medication.
15–19Moderately severeYou have moderately severe symptoms of depression. The official manual proposes active treatment with medication and/or psychotherapy.
20–27SevereYou have severe symptoms of depression. The official manual proposes starting medication immediately and, if daily life is severely affected or treatment does not help, a quick referral to a mental health specialist.

Mental health helpline

If you feel distressed, cannot cope, or have thoughts of harming yourself, please call the helpline below and speak to a trained counsellor.

  • Tele-MANAS

    144161-800-891-4416

    Free national mental health helpline of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. You can choose your language when you call.

  1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: Tele-MANAS

Helpline details last checked: 26 October 2026.

Source and copyright

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16(9):606-613.
Developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute.
The questions and answers are the English version published on the PHQ Screeners website.
  1. PHQ Screeners: Select a screener (PHQ-9 and translations)
  2. PHQ Screeners: Instructions for Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and GAD-7 Measures

Last checked: 26 October 2026.