Depression test (PHQ-9 scale)

PHQ-9 is a short, validated questionnaire doctors worldwide use to gauge how severe depression symptoms have been over the past two weeks. Take it in a couple of minutes — a personal breakdown of your score arrives by email.

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

0 of 9

  1. 1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
  2. 2. Feeling down, depressed or hopeless
  3. 3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
  4. 4. Feeling tired or having little energy
  5. 5. Poor appetite or overeating
  6. 6. Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure, or have let yourself or your family down
  7. 7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading or watching television
  8. 8. Moving or speaking so slowly that others could notice — or, on the contrary, being so restless that you couldn’t sit still
  9. 9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way

Answer every question to get your result.

By submitting, I agree to data processing under the privacy policy.

Answers are processed only to calculate your result and are not stored anywhere.

How the score works

Each of the 9 questions scores 0 to 3, for a total of 0 to 27. The higher the score, the more pronounced the symptoms. It is a guide for a conversation with a professional, not a diagnosis.

  • 0–4Minimal or no symptoms
  • 5–9Mild
  • 10–14Moderate
  • 15–19Moderately severe
  • 20–27Severe

0–27

What the PHQ-9 measures

PHQ-9 rates nine core signs of depression — from low mood and loss of interest to changes in sleep, appetite and concentration. It is not a verdict but a way to see how pronounced symptoms are right now and whether it is worth reaching out for help.

How PHQ-9 differs from the “Beck scale”

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is another well-known questionnaire with a similar purpose, but it is copyrighted. We use PHQ-9: it is free, validated and measures the same thing — the severity of depressive symptoms. A PHQ-9 result is meaningful and comparable to what the Beck scale assesses.

When to see a professional

The questionnaire does not diagnose. But some signs mean you should not delay seeing a doctor or therapist:

  • thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of harming yourself — a reason to seek help immediately;
  • low mood and loss of interest lasting more than two weeks;
  • symptoms getting in the way of work, study, relationships or self-care.

Depression and the body: what to check

Low mood, fatigue and apathy are not always “in your head”. Similar symptoms come from an underactive thyroid, low iron and ferritin, vitamin D and B12 deficiency, and chronic stress with high cortisol. If you have lab results, it is worth decoding them — sometimes a fixable physical cause hides behind “depression”.

Frequently asked questions

  • No. PHQ-9 is a screening tool: it shows how pronounced symptoms are and helps you decide whether to see a professional. Only a doctor makes a diagnosis, considering the full picture.

  • No. Answers are processed only to calculate the result and are not stored anywhere. You receive a score breakdown by email — that is all.

  • This way you get a calm, personal breakdown you can re-read later, and we do not keep answers on your device. Just enter your address and press the button.

  • In meaning, yes — both assess depression severity. We use the free PHQ-9 scale instead of the copyrighted Beck scale; the result is comparable.

Check for a physical cause

An underactive thyroid, low iron, B12 and vitamin D cause symptoms that look like depression. Upload your labs — AI explains every value and tells you what to check.

Decode my labs

The PHQ-9 questionnaire is informational and a screening tool, not a diagnosis. The final assessment is up to a doctor. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, seek help immediately: in the US call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7), or your local emergency number.