The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a nine-item screener for depression. Each item asks how often, over the last two weeks, you have been bothered by a symptom — scored 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). The nine items sum to a total of 0–27.
It covers mood, loss of interest, sleep, energy, appetite, self-worth, concentration, restlessness or slowing, and thoughts of self-harm.
| Total | Severity |
|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal |
| 5–9 | Mild |
| 10–14 | Moderate |
| 15–19 | Moderately severe |
| 20–27 | Severe |
No. It is a screening tool that measures symptom severity. A diagnosis requires a fuller clinical assessment by a qualified professional.
A total of 10 or above suggests at least moderate symptoms and is a common threshold for considering further evaluation. 20+ is the severe band.
