💙 PHQ-9 Depression Test — Clinically Validated Screening
9 questions based on the official PHQ-9 scale used by doctors worldwide. Takes under 2 minutes. Get your score with a plain-English explanation of what it means.
This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Results indicate whether symptoms are present — only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose depression. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please contact Samaritans on 116 123 (UK) or text HOME to 741741 (US) immediately.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
What PHQ-9 Measures
Based on the DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder. Validated by Kroenke K et al. (2001).
Understanding Your PHQ-9 Score
Scores range from 0 to 27. Higher scores indicate greater depression symptom severity.
Depressive symptoms are minimal or absent. Normal mood fluctuations. No clinical action required.
Mild symptoms present. Self-help strategies and lifestyle changes are a good starting point. Monitor closely.
Moderate depression likely affecting daily life. Clinical guidelines recommend professional assessment at this level.
Moderately severe depression with significant daily impairment. Prompt professional assessment is strongly recommended.
Severe depression. Please speak to a doctor urgently. Effective treatments exist — this is not a permanent state.
Depression vs Sadness — Key Differences
Understanding the distinction between ordinary sadness and clinical depression is important — both for recognising when to seek help and for reducing unnecessary self-stigma. Sadness is a healthy and adaptive emotion. Depression is a medical condition that changes brain function in ways that require more than willpower to resolve.
If your low mood falls in the "depression" column for most of the above, a PHQ-9 score of 10 or above, or if you have been struggling for more than 2 weeks, speaking to your GP is the most productive step you can take. Depression is highly treatable — approximately 70–80% of people with depression respond to treatment.
What Is the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) was developed by Kroenke, Spitzer, and Williams and published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine in 2001. It was created to give primary care physicians a brief, validated tool for screening depression in everyday practice — a condition that is both highly prevalent and frequently under-detected.
The questionnaire directly maps to the 9 diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode in the DSM-5, making it one of the most clinically grounded screening tools available. Each item is scored 0–3 (Not at all / Several days / More than half the days / Nearly every day), with a maximum score of 27.
The PHQ-9 has been validated in over 100 clinical studies across diverse settings and populations. At a cut-off score of 10, it achieves 88% sensitivity and 88% specificity for major depressive disorder in primary care. It is now embedded in standard electronic health records in the UK NHS, US Veterans Affairs system, and healthcare systems across more than 80 countries.
Beyond initial screening, the PHQ-9 is also used to monitor treatment response. A reduction of 5 or more points typically indicates a clinically meaningful improvement. A score below 5 is commonly used as a remission threshold in clinical trials.
Treatment Options for Depression
Depression is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. Around 70–80% of people respond to treatment.
CBT is the gold-standard psychological treatment for depression. It works by identifying and restructuring negative thought patterns (cognitive distortions) and increasing engagement with rewarding activities (Behavioural Activation). CBT produces durable improvements — people who complete a course of CBT have significantly lower relapse rates than those who use medication alone.
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are typically first-line antidepressants. They take 2–6 weeks to produce full effects and should be taken under medical supervision. For moderate to severe depression, the combination of medication and therapy is more effective than either alone. Always discuss starting, adjusting, or stopping antidepressants with your doctor.
Multiple meta-analyses show aerobic exercise has antidepressant effects comparable to medication for mild to moderate depression. 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (brisk walking, cycling, swimming) 3–5 times per week significantly reduces PHQ-9 scores within 4–8 weeks. Exercise increases BDNF, serotonin, and dopamine, and reduces inflammatory markers implicated in depression.
MBCT combines mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy techniques. It is particularly effective at preventing relapse in people who have experienced 3 or more depressive episodes, reducing relapse rates by approximately 44% compared to usual care. MBCT is now recommended by NICE (UK) for recurrent depression.
IPT focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and communication patterns that may be contributing to or maintaining depression. It is particularly effective when depression is linked to grief, role transitions (new job, divorce, becoming a parent), or relationship conflicts. IPT typically involves 12–16 structured sessions.
Sleep quality, physical activity, diet quality, alcohol reduction, and social connection all independently affect depression outcomes. Regular social contact — even brief, low-effort interactions — has measurable antidepressant effects. Reducing alcohol intake is particularly important: alcohol is a CNS depressant that worsens mood and disrupts sleep, creating a compounding negative cycle.