PHQ-9 Depression Screening
Answer each question about the past 2 weeks to help assess depression severity.
This questionnaire is intended for use by healthcare professionals in the context of medical care. It is not intended for patient self-assessment or use outside of a clinical setting.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often has the patient been bothered by the following problems?
1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things?
*
0 = Not at all
1 = Several days
2 = More than half the days
3 = Nearly every day
2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
*
0 = Not at all
1 = Several days
2 = More than half the days
3 = Nearly every day
3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much?
*
0 = Not at all
1 = Several days
2 = More than half the days
3 = Nearly every day
4. Feeling tired or having little energy?
*
0 = Not at all
1 = Several days
2 = More than half the days
3 = Nearly every day
5. Poor appetite or overeating?
*
0 = Not at all
1 = Several days
2 = More than half the days
3 = Nearly every day
6. Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down?
*
0 = Not at all
1 = Several days
2 = More than half the days
3 = Nearly every day
7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television?
*
0 = Not at all
1 = Several days
2 = More than half the days
3 = Nearly every day
8. 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?
*
0 = Not at all
1 = Several days
2 = More than half the days
3 = Nearly every day
9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or thoughts of hurting yourself in some way?
*
0 = Not at all
1 = Several days
2 = More than half the days
3 = Nearly every day
PHQ-9 Total Score
Depression Severity Interpretation
Interpretation:
0–4: Minimal or none
5–9: Mild
10–14: Moderate
15–19: Moderately severe
20–27: Severe
Clinical Follow-Up Guidance
Guidance:
• Scores ≤4 suggest minimal depression which may not require treatment.
• Final diagnosis should be made with clinical interview and mental status examination, including assessment of distress and functional impairment.
Management Notes:
• Minimal/none: Monitor; no treatment required.
• Mild: Use clinical judgment based on symptom duration and functional impairment.
• Moderate: Consider active treatment.
• Moderately severe/severe: Active treatment with psychotherapy, medications, or both is warranted.
Critical Actions:
• If item 9 is positive (score > 0), perform suicide risk assessment.
• Rule out bipolar disorder, normal bereavement, and medical disorders causing depressive symptoms.
Submitter name
First Name
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