This is a screening test, not a diagnosis, and if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or that you would be better off dead, get help now: talk to someone you trust, and call an ambulance (123 in Egypt, 997 in Saudi Arabia, 998 in the UAE) or go to the nearest emergency department.
Calculator
How it works and when to use it
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) has 9 questions matching the symptoms of depression, for each you choose how often it bothered you over the last two weeks: not at all (0), several days (1), more than half the days (2), nearly every day (3), and the calculator adds them up from 0 to 27.
The severity cut-offs are the authors' own (Kroenke and colleagues, 2001): 5 mild, 10 moderate, 15 moderately severe and 20 severe, and the ninth question, on thoughts of death or self-harm, is read on its own: any answer other than "not at all" means getting help now, whatever the total.
The result does not replace seeing a psychiatrist, the diagnosis needs a full assessment that also rules out other causes such as thyroid disease, anaemia and the effects of some medicines.
Reference: Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med 2001;16(9):606-13 (severity cut-offs 5, 10, 15, 20); Patient Health Questionnaire, Pfizer, free to use
Frequently asked questions
Does this depression test diagnose me?
No, it is a screening that measures how severe the symptoms are, the diagnosis is made by a psychiatrist or psychologist after a full interview.
When should I see a doctor?
If the score is 10 or more, or the symptoms have lasted two weeks or more and affect your work, study or relationships, and at once if you have thoughts of hurting yourself.
Should I repeat the test?
Doctors use it every few weeks to follow the response to treatment, so repeating it helps you compare your own results over time.
Are my answers saved?
No, the score is worked out in your browser only, and the answers are neither sent nor stored by the site.
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Clinic software for this specialty
Try Clinicato for your clinic
These calculators are free here for everyone, and in Clinicato 49 medical tools work inside the patient's file with the "Medical tools" add-on: filled from the visit and the vital signs, with the result added to the visit's plan, next to appointments, prescriptions and invoices.