The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is the most widely used depression screening instrument in clinical practice worldwide. It is used by the NHS, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and primary care physicians in more than 70 countries to assess depressive symptoms.
The questionnaire asks about nine symptoms of depression experienced over the past two weeks. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, and the total score (0 to 27) indicates the likely severity range.
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This screener is for informational and self-reflection purposes only. It is not a clinical diagnostic tool and does not constitute medical or psychological advice. A score in the moderate or severe range does not mean you have been diagnosed with depression. If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, please speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a validated self-report screening instrument for depression, developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke, and colleagues. Its nine items correspond to the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the DSM-IV. It is one of the most widely used depression screening tools in primary care worldwide and has been released by Pfizer for unrestricted use.
Each of the nine items is scored 0 to 3 (Not at all = 0, Nearly every day = 3), for a total score of 0 to 27:
The PHQ-9 has a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 88% for detecting major depression at a cutoff score of 10. These are strong properties for a brief self-report instrument. However, a high score does not confirm a diagnosis, and a low score does not rule one out. A clinical assessment by a trained professional is always required for diagnosis.
No. All scoring happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your answers are never transmitted to any server, stored in a database, or shared with any third party. When you close the tab, the data is gone. OmLumi collects no personal information from this screener.
If your score is 10 or above, consider sharing your results with a doctor or mental health professional. The PHQ-9 is designed to start a conversation with a healthcare provider, not to replace one. Scores can also be affected by physical illness, grief, life circumstances, and other factors. A trained clinician can help you understand what the score means for your specific situation.
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16(9):606-613. Copyright Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. Pfizer has made the PHQ-9 available at no charge and no permission is required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute it.