PHQ 9 Depression Questionnaire

A standardized, self‑administered tool to track the frequency of depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. This calculator sums your scores, provides a severity band, and creates a discussion aid for your healthcare provider. Everything runs in your browser—no data is sent online.

Educational only, not medical advice.

Results & Summary

Total PHQ‑9 Score (Q1‑Q9)

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Complete the questions

Interpretation Bands

Symptom Checklist

Discussion Notes

Your notes will appear here. This is a non‑diagnostic aid to prepare for a clinical conversation.

About the PHQ‑9

The Patient Health Questionnaire‑9 (PHQ‑9) is a widely used, validated instrument for screening, monitoring, and measuring the severity of depression. It aligns with DSM‑5 criteria for major depressive disorder.

How to Use This Tool

Answer each of the 9 questions honestly, reflecting on the last two weeks.
The tool sums your scores (0‑27) and shows a severity band.
Review the symptom checklist and generated notes to prepare for a discussion with your clinician.
Question 10 (functional impairment) is not added to the total but is important context.

Example Scenarios

Score 5: Mild symptoms. Might reflect temporary stress. Still worth mentioning if persistent.
Score 12: Moderate depression. Suggests a professional evaluation would be beneficial.
Score 20: Severe depression. Urges prompt contact with a healthcare provider.

Typical Scoring Ranges

Score Range	Severity Level	Suggested Action
0‑4	Minimal	Monitoring may be sufficient.
5‑9	Mild	Watchful waiting; consider repeat screening.
10‑14	Moderate	Treatment plan (therapy, follow‑up).
15‑19	Moderately Severe	Active treatment (therapy, medication evaluation).
20‑27	Severe	Immediate evaluation and treatment.

What‑If Explorer

Adjust the total score to see how changes in symptom frequency affect severity classification.

Hypothetical Total Score: 10

Severity

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Typical Recommendation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the PHQ‑9 a diagnosis?

No. The PHQ‑9 is a screening and measurement tool. A formal diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.

How accurate is this self‑administered version?

The PHQ‑9 has high validity when completed honestly. However, self‑report can be influenced by current mood, interpretation of questions, or other factors. It is best used as a tracking aid alongside professional assessment.

What if my score is high but I feel okay?

Scores reflect frequency of symptoms over the prior two weeks. If you scored high but currently feel better, it may indicate improving symptoms. Still, discuss the pattern with a clinician.

When should I seek immediate help?

If you have thoughts of self‑harm or suicide, feel unable to cope, or experience severe impairment, contact a crisis line or emergency services immediately. This tool is not for acute crises.

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PHQ 9 Depression Questionnaire

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