PHQ-9 Depression Screening Calculator

Calculate your PHQ-9 score, a validated screening questionnaire for depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. This is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument — consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation.

🧠 Mental Health Screening📐 PHQ-9 = Sum of 9 items (0-3 each)🏥 Health

Little interest or pleasure in activities

Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

Feeling tired or low energy

Poor appetite or overeating

Feeling bad about yourself or like a failure

Trouble concentrating

Moving/speaking slowly, or being fidgety/restless

Thoughts of self-harm or being better off dead

Please enter valid values.

Formula & Reference

Variable	Symbol	Formula	Units
PHQ-9 Depression Screening Calculator	—	PHQ-9 = Sum of 9 items (0-3 each)	score 0-27

Step-by-Step Examples

Example 1

Minimal Symptoms

All items rated 'Not at all' (0 each).

Total = 0
Minimal depression symptoms range
Suggests low current depressive symptom burden based on this screening

✓ Score 0/27 — minimal symptoms

Example 2

Moderate Symptoms

Mixed responses averaging around 'more than half the days' (2 each), item 9 at 0.

Total = 2×9 = 18
Moderately severe symptoms range
Suggests benefit from discussing with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation

✓ Score 18/27 — moderately severe

Example 3

Important Safety Note

Any response above 0 on the self-harm question (item 9).

Regardless of total score, any positive response to item 9 warrants immediate attention
This screening tool will flag this for you with crisis resource information
Please reach out to a crisis line (988 in the US) or healthcare provider right away if experiencing these thoughts

✓ Always seek immediate support for self-harm thoughts

Real-World Applications

👨‍⚕️

Primary Care Screening

PHQ-9 is one of the most widely used depression screening tools in primary care settings worldwide.

🧠

Mental Health Practice

Clinicians use PHQ-9 both for initial screening and to track treatment progress over time.

📚

Clinical Research

PHQ-9 is a validated, extensively researched instrument used in countless depression studies.

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Integrated Care Settings

Many healthcare systems use routine PHQ-9 screening to identify depression symptoms during regular visits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

⚠️

Ignoring item 9 (self-harm thoughts) regardless of total score

Any positive response to thoughts of self-harm warrants immediate attention and support, regardless of the overall total score — this requires prompt professional consultation.

⚠️

Treating this as a definitive diagnosis

PHQ-9 is a validated screening tool, but formal depression diagnosis requires comprehensive clinical evaluation by a qualified mental health professional.

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Self-treating based solely on this screening result

Screening results should prompt appropriate professional consultation for proper evaluation and personalized treatment planning, not self-directed treatment decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does PHQ-9 measure? ▾

Depressive symptoms experienced over the past two weeks across nine validated symptom domains, providing a standardized way to assess symptom presence and severity.

Is PHQ-9 a diagnostic test? ▾

No — it's a validated screening instrument. Formal depression diagnosis requires comprehensive clinical evaluation by a qualified healthcare or mental health professional considering full context.

What should I do if I have thoughts of self-harm (item 9)? ▾

Please reach out immediately to a crisis resource — in the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) — or contact a healthcare provider, emergency services, or trusted person right away.

What score suggests I should seek professional help? ▾

Generally, scores of 10 or higher suggest at least mild-moderate symptoms warranting professional evaluation, though any concerning symptoms (especially item 9) deserve attention regardless of total score.

How is PHQ-9 used in ongoing treatment? ▾

Beyond initial screening, many providers use repeated PHQ-9 administration to track symptom changes over time, helping assess treatment response and guide care adjustments.