What does the PHQ-9 assess?

The PHQ-9 assesses the severity of depressive symptoms over the past two weeks based on nine criteria corresponding to diagnostic features of depression.

How is PHQ-9 different from other tests?

The PHQ-9 is directly aligned with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and allows both identification of symptoms and assessment of their severity using a standardized scale.

How are PHQ-9 results interpreted?

The total score reflects the severity of depressive symptoms—from minimal to extremely severe—and is used for an initial assessment.

PHQ-9 — online depression test

Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) — a brief screening tool for assessing the severity of depressive symptoms.

It consists of 9 questions corresponding to the diagnostic criteria for a depressive episode (DSM-5) and evaluates the frequency of symptoms over the past two weeks. Compared to more extensive scales, it is designed for rapid quantitative screening with an assessment of the impact on daily functioning.

The results are indicative and do not constitute a medical diagnosis.

If you also notice persistent anxiety or unexplained tension in yourself, our anxiety test may help.

If, instead, periods of sadness alternate with periods of unusually elevated energy or reduced need for sleep, you may also be interested in the Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale (BSDS). Sleep problems can also be linked with depression and worsen its course. If sleep issues are troubling you, we invite you to take our sleep tests online. If your difficulties are closely linked to prolonged overload, you might also be interested in our stress and burnout test.

Rate how often you have been bothered by the following problems over the past two weeks and select one answer for each item.

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

Online test