Free depression quiz · For adults · PHQ-9
Free adult depression quiz.
Nine questions, about three minutes. This is the PHQ-9, the standard depression screener used by clinicians everywhere. It will not diagnose you, but it can help you see clearly what the last couple of weeks have really been like.
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About this screener
What the PHQ-9 is really asking.
The PHQ-9 asks how often, over the past two weeks, nine things have been true: low interest, low mood, changes in sleep and appetite, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and more. It covers the ground clinicians look at first when someone wonders about depression.
Answer for the last two weeks, as honestly as you can. If any question brings up thoughts of harming yourself, please know that support is available right now, and the result panel will show you exactly where to turn.
The PHQ-9 was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Kurt Kroenke, Janet B.W. Williams, and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission is required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute it.
You do not have to feel this way alone
Therapy for depression in North County.
Depression can make everything feel heavier and further away. Our doctoral-level psychologists help you understand where the low mood comes from and slowly build a different relationship with it, so it stops running the show. In Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, or online across California. It starts with a free 15-minute consultation.
Questions
About the depression quiz.
01 Is this an official depression diagnosis?
No. The PHQ-9 is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. It measures how often depressive symptoms have bothered you over the past two weeks. Only a clinical evaluation can tell you whether you are experiencing clinical depression.
02 How accurate is the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 is one of the most widely used and well-validated depression measures in the world, used across primary care and mental health care. It is very good at flagging depression that is worth attention, though it reflects a two-week window rather than your whole story.
03 What do the score ranges mean?
Scores of 0 to 4 suggest minimal symptoms, 5 to 9 mild, 10 to 14 moderate, 15 to 19 moderately severe, and 20 to 27 severe. Higher scores mean the symptoms have shown up more often. A score is a starting point for a conversation, not a label.
04 What if I am having thoughts of harming myself?
Please reach out for support right now. You can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, free and available 24/7, or call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you are in immediate danger. You do not have to be in crisis to ask for help, and you do not have to face it alone.
Ready when you are
You deserve to feel lighter.
Starting is a small step: a short, no-pressure conversation to see if we are a good fit. We would be glad to hear from you.