Question 1

What is the PHQ-9 test?

Accepted Answer

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used, validated 9-question instrument for screening, diagnosing, monitoring, and measuring the severity of depression.

Question 2

How is the PHQ-9 scored?

Accepted Answer

Each question is scored from 0 (Not at all) to 3 (Nearly every day). The total score ranges from 0 to 27, categorizing depression severity into minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe.

Question 3

What does a PHQ-9 score of 10 mean?

Accepted Answer

A score of 10 or above on the PHQ-9 typically indicates moderate depression. At this level, it is highly recommended to speak with a healthcare professional, as clinical intervention may be beneficial.

Question 4

Is the PHQ-9 test free and accurate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this online PHQ-9 assessment is completely free. It is a highly accurate self-screening tool used globally by doctors, but it cannot replace a formal medical diagnosis.

Question 5

What should I do if my PHQ-9 score is high?

Accepted Answer

If your score indicates moderate to severe depression, or if you answered positively to the question about self-harm, please reach out to a doctor, therapist, or emergency crisis hotline immediately.

Neural Syncing

PHQ-9 Depression Self-Assessment

1. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:

Little interest or pleasure in doing things

2. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:

Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

3. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:

Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much

4. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:

Feeling tired or having little energy

5. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:

Poor appetite or overeating

6. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:

Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down

7. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:

Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television

8. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:

Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed — or being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving a lot more than usual

9. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:

Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way

This tool gives you a snapshot. BrainHey gives you the full picture.

Neural Syncing

PHQ-9 Depression Self-Assessment

1. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by: Little interest or pleasure in doing things

2. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by: Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

3. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by: Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much

4. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by: Feeling tired or having little energy

5. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by: Poor appetite or overeating

6. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by: Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down

7. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by: Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television

8. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by: Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed — or being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving a lot more than usual

9. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by: Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way