Depression is a common mental health condition that can affect anyone at any time, and recognizing the signs is the first step to getting support. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a simple, research-backed tool used to screen for depression. It can help you understand if the symptoms you’re experiencing might be related to depression—and whether it’s time to reach out for professional support.
How It Works
The screening is easy to complete. It takes only a few minutes, and your answers can provide valuable insight into your mental health. Each question asks how frequently you’ve experienced certain feelings or behaviors over the past two weeks, and your responses are scored to assess the potential presence and severity of depressive symptoms.
Why Take the Screening?
- Gain Awareness: The PHQ-9 helps you understand your current emotional state more clearly.
- Prompt Action: If your results indicate that you may be experiencing depression, it can be the push needed to reach out for professional help.
- Easy and Confidential: You can take the screening online, in the comfort of your home, and the results are completely private.
Ready to Take the PHQ-9?
PHQ-9
Think about your experiences over the past two weeks. For each of the following nine questions, you’ll choose a response from four options:
- Not at all (0 points)
- Several days (1 point)
- More than half the days (2 points)
- Nearly every day (3 points)
The questions are:
- Little interest or pleasure in doing things?
- Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
- Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much?
- Feeling tired or having little energy?
- Poor appetite or overeating?
- Feeling bad about yourself—or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down?
- Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television?
- 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?
- Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way?
After answering all nine questions, you’ll total the points to determine your PHQ-9 score.
Scoring the PHQ-9
The score is determined by adding up the points from each question. The total score will be between 0 and 27.
- 0-4: Minimal Depression
Your symptoms fall within the normal range. No action may be needed unless symptoms worsen. - 5-9: Mild Depression
You may benefit from monitoring or lifestyle changes. If symptoms persist or worsen, consulting a professional could be helpful. - 10-14: Moderate Depression
This score indicates moderate symptoms of depression. A healthcare provider may recommend therapy, counseling, or other forms of intervention. - 15-19: Moderately Severe Depression
This suggests significant symptoms of depression that could benefit from active treatment, which may include psychotherapy or medication. - 20-27: Severe Depression
Severe symptoms are likely affecting your day-to-day functioning. Immediate consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended.
Interpreting the Score
- If your score is 10 or above, it’s usually recommended to seek evaluation by a mental health professional.
- For question 9 (thoughts of self-harm or suicide), even if it is scored at 1 or higher, it is important to seek professional help immediately, as it may indicate a risk for self-harm.
Next Steps
What to Do Next?
The PHQ-9 is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. If you score higher than 10 or if the screening results suggest you might be experiencing depression, know that help is available. Reach out to a mental health professional to discuss your results. Talking with a licensed therapist, psychiatric medication manager, or counselor can provide clarity, support, and a way forward. Depression is treatable, and you don’t have to face it alone.
Call or text Soma Therapy at 316-201-6047