{"id":66851,"date":"2026-10-13T09:52:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T06:52:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/?p=66851"},"modified":"2026-10-13T09:52:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T06:52:02","slug":"phq-9-score-calculator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/phq-9-score-calculator\/","title":{"rendered":"PHQ-9 Score Calculator"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"not-prose calculator-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculator-title\"><div class=\"flex items-baseline sm:items-center justify-between gap-2 sm:gap-3\"><div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-2\"><span class=\"icon icon-calculator text-primary-700! text-base! dark:text-primary-300!\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2 id=\"calculator-title\" class=\"text-lg font-display font-bold\">Score Your PHQ-9 Depression Questionnaire<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"calcdash-favorite group\">\n  <button type=\"button\" class=\"favorite\" id=\"favorite\" data-favorite-id=\"66851\" data-favorite-title=\"PHQ-9 Score\" data-favorite-url=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/phq-9-score-calculator\/\" data-favorite-excerpt=\"Score the PHQ-9 depression questionnaire in seconds: answer the nine questions about how you felt over the last 2 weeks and get your total score (0\u201327) with the standard severity band and interpretation.\" aria-label=\"Add to Favorites\" data-favorite-icon=\"icon icon-flask\">\n    <span class=\"icon icon-shape-star-empty\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n  <\/button>\n  <div class=\"calcdash-favorite__tip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n   <span class=\"favorite-tooltip\" id=\"favorite-tooltip\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"favorite-status\"><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><form action=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/phq-9-score-calculator\/\" method=\"POST\" class=\"calculator\" id=\"calculator-66851\" data-post=\"66851\"><fieldset class=\"fieldset-input is-1\"><legend class=\"sr-only\">Input Fields<\/legend><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-1\"><span class=\"font-semibold\">Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-2\"><label for=\"field-2\">1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-2\" name=\"1_little_interest_or_pleasure_in_doing_things\"><option value=\"Not at all\">Not at all<\/option><option value=\"Several days\">Several days<\/option><option value=\"More than half the days\">More than half the days<\/option><option value=\"Nearly every day\">Nearly every day<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-3\"><label for=\"field-3\">2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-3\" name=\"2_feeling_down_depressed_or_hopeless\"><option value=\"Not at all\">Not at all<\/option><option value=\"Several days\">Several days<\/option><option value=\"More than half the days\">More than half the days<\/option><option value=\"Nearly every day\">Nearly every day<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-4\"><label for=\"field-4\">3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-4\" name=\"3_trouble_falling_or_staying_asleep_or_sleeping_too_much\"><option value=\"Not at all\">Not at all<\/option><option value=\"Several days\">Several days<\/option><option value=\"More than half the days\">More than half the days<\/option><option value=\"Nearly every day\">Nearly every day<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-5\"><label for=\"field-5\">4. Feeling tired or having little energy<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-5\" name=\"4_feeling_tired_or_having_little_energy\"><option value=\"Not at all\">Not at all<\/option><option value=\"Several days\">Several days<\/option><option value=\"More than half the days\">More than half the days<\/option><option value=\"Nearly every day\">Nearly every day<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-6\"><label for=\"field-6\">5. Poor appetite or overeating<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-6\" name=\"5_poor_appetite_or_overeating\"><option value=\"Not at all\">Not at all<\/option><option value=\"Several days\">Several days<\/option><option value=\"More than half the days\">More than half the days<\/option><option value=\"Nearly every day\">Nearly every day<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-7\"><label for=\"field-7\">6. Feeling bad about yourself \u2014 or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-7\" name=\"6_feeling_bad_about_yourself_or_that_you_are_a_failure_or_have_let_yourself_or_your_family_down\"><option value=\"Not at all\">Not at all<\/option><option value=\"Several days\">Several days<\/option><option value=\"More than half the days\">More than half the days<\/option><option value=\"Nearly every day\">Nearly every day<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-8\"><label for=\"field-8\">7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading or watching television<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-8\" name=\"7_trouble_concentrating_on_things_such_as_reading_or_watching_television\"><option value=\"Not at all\">Not at all<\/option><option value=\"Several days\">Several days<\/option><option value=\"More than half the days\">More than half the days<\/option><option value=\"Nearly every day\">Nearly every day<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-9\"><label for=\"field-9\">8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed \u2014 or being fidgety or restless<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-9\" name=\"8_moving_or_speaking_so_slowly_that_other_people_could_have_noticed_or_being_fidgety_or_restless\"><option value=\"Not at all\">Not at all<\/option><option value=\"Several days\">Several days<\/option><option value=\"More than half the days\">More than half the days<\/option><option value=\"Nearly every day\">Nearly every day<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-10\"><label for=\"field-10\">9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-10\" name=\"9_thoughts_that_you_would_be_better_off_dead_or_of_hurting_yourself_in_some_way\"><option value=\"Not at all\">Not at all<\/option><option value=\"Several days\">Several days<\/option><option value=\"More than half the days\">More than half the days<\/option><option value=\"Nearly every day\">Nearly every day<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><\/fieldset><div class=\"buttons\"><button type=\"submit\" data-text=\"Re-Calculate\" id=\"calculate-button\" data-post=\"66851\">Calculate<\/button><button type=\"reset\">Reset<\/button><\/div><div class=\"field is-checkbox hidden!\" id=\"field-auto-calc\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"auto-calc\"><label for=\"auto-calc\">Calculate automatically<\/label><small>If enabled, the result will update automatically when you change any value.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"fieldset-result is-hidden\" aria-labelledby=\"result-title\" aria-live=\"polite\" role=\"region\"> <h3 class=\"result-title bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 dark:from-primary-900 dark:to-gray-800\" id=\"result-title\"><span class=\"icon icon-s-pulse\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> Your PHQ-9 Result<\/h3><div class=\"result-box\"><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-1\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Total PHQ-9 score<\/span><span class=\"result-term\">Score<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-1\" data-unit=\"points\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-2\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Depression severity<\/span><span class=\"result-term\">Severity<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-2\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result is-column\" id=\"output-3\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>What your score means<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-3\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"result-actions\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-link\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12.232 4.232a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.536 3.536l-1.225 1.224a.75.75 0 0 0 1.061 1.06l1.224-1.224a4 4 0 0 0-5.656-5.656l-3 3a4 4 0 0 0 .225 5.865.75.75 0 0 0 .977-1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1-.142-3.667l3-3Z\"\/><path d=\"M11.603 7.963a.75.75 0 0 0-.977 1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1 .142 3.667l-3 3a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-3.536-3.536l1.225-1.224a.75.75 0 0 0-1.061-1.06l-1.224 1.224a4 4 0 1 0 5.656 5.656l3-3a4 4 0 0 0-.225-5.865Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"copy-link__text\">Copy link to this calculation<\/span><\/button><span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"copy-link-status\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><a href=\"#respond\" class=\"hidden transition-opacity duration-300 opacity-0 w-50 text-sm justify-center items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300\" id=\"leave-comment\"><span class=\"icon icon-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>Leave a Comment<\/a><\/form><\/section><section id=\"calc-reactions\" class=\"not-prose hidden my-12 bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 border border-indigo-100 rounded-xl px-6 py-4 shadow-sm\" data-post=\"66851\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\"><p id=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 text-center mb-2\">How did this result make you feel?<\/p><div role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex sm:flex-row sm:justify-around gap-4 sm:items-center sm:flex-wrap\"><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"like\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"like\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude00 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Like <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"helpful\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"helpful\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udca1 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Helpful <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"confused\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"confused\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude15 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Confused <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"disappointed\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"disappointed\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude1e <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Disappointed <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"inaccurate\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"inaccurate\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u274c <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Inaccurate <\/span><\/button><\/div><div id=\"reaction-message\" class=\"hidden mt-8 rounded-md border border-primary-100 bg-white\/50 backdrop-blur-sm px-4 py-2 text-sm text-center shadow-sm\"><\/div><\/section><div class=\"calcdash-ad not-prose calcdash-ad--calc_result calcdash-ad--in-article\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1721569815777345\" data-ad-slot=\"6317458308\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-1\">.formula-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section class=\"formula-box\" aria-labelledby=\"formula-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"formula-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display mb-4\"><span class=\"icon icon-formula\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>PHQ-9 Score<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t<figure class=\"not-prose formula\">\r\n\t\t<figcaption class=\"formula-title\">Formula<\/figcaption>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"text-base text-gray-800\" id=\"formula\">\n\\[ \\text{PHQ-9 total} = \\sum_{i=1}^{9} q_i \\]\n\\[ 0 \\le q_i \\le 3 \\]\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/figure>\r\n\t<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\(q_i\\) \u2014 score for item \\(i\\) (\\(i = 1, \\dots, 9\\)): 0 = Not at all, 1 = Several days, 2 = More than half the days, 3 = Nearly every day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The total PHQ-9 score is simply the sum of the nine item scores, so it ranges from 0 to 27 points. The total is then mapped to one of five standard severity bands.<\/p>\n<p>\r\n<\/section>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-459\">.calculation-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section id=\"calculation\" class=\"calculation-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculation-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"calculation-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display\"><span class=\"icon icon-unordered-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>PHQ-9 Score \u2013 Calculation Example<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> over the last two weeks a person reports little interest or pleasure and feeling down, tired, and unable to concentrate on more than half the days; sleep, appetite, self-worth and restlessness are bothered on several days; no thoughts of self-harm.<\/p>\n<p>\\[ q = (2,\\ 2,\\ 1,\\ 2,\\ 1,\\ 1,\\ 2,\\ 1,\\ 0) \\]<\/p>\n<p>\\[ \\text{PHQ-9} = 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 0 = 12 \\]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Result:<\/strong> 12 points out of 27 \u2014 moderate depressive symptoms. A score in the 10\u201314 range generally calls for further evaluation by a clinician and often some form of treatment such as counselling.<\/p>\n<p>\n\r\n<\/section>\n<h2>How to use the calculator<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Read the instruction line: \u201cOver the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>For each of the nine questions, choose the frequency that best matches your experience over those two weeks: Not at all (0), Several days (1), More than half the days (2) or Nearly every day (3).<\/li>\n<li>Pay special attention to question 9 about thoughts of being better off dead or of hurting yourself \u2014 any answer other than \u201cNot at all\u201d should be discussed with a clinician regardless of your total score.<\/li>\n<li>Once all nine questions are answered, the calculator displays your total PHQ-9 score, the depression severity band and a short interpretation of what the score means.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What the PHQ-9 is and why it matters<\/h2>\n<p>The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a nine-item self-report questionnaire that screens for depressive symptoms. It is one of the most widely used depression screening tools in primary care because it is quick to complete, easy to score, and directly mirrors the nine diagnostic criteria for major depression described in the DSM. Each item asks how often a particular symptom has bothered you over the previous two weeks, which matches the time window clinicians use when evaluating depression.<\/p>\n<p>The total score places you in one of five severity bands, each associated with a typical course of action:<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Score<\/th>\n<th>Severity<\/th>\n<th>Usual recommendation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>0\u20134<\/td>\n<td>Minimal (none)<\/td>\n<td>No specific treatment usually needed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5\u20139<\/td>\n<td>Mild<\/td>\n<td>Watchful waiting; repeat the test in about two weeks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10\u201314<\/td>\n<td>Moderate<\/td>\n<td>Further evaluation; counselling or psychotherapy often considered<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>15\u201319<\/td>\n<td>Moderately severe<\/td>\n<td>Active treatment with psychotherapy and\/or medication<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20\u201327<\/td>\n<td>Severe<\/td>\n<td>Active treatment, usually combining psychotherapy and medication<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>A useful feature of the PHQ-9 is that it can be repeated over time to track how symptoms change \u2014 before and after starting treatment, for example. Falling scores usually indicate improvement, while rising scores suggest the current approach may need to be reviewed. Doctors also use the questionnaire to decide whether a full diagnostic interview is warranted.<\/p>\n<p>Remember that a single item can matter as much as the total: any positive response on question 9 (thoughts of death or self-harm) is clinically significant on its own and should always be brought to a healthcare professional's attention, even when the overall score is low.<\/p>\n<h2>Limitations and practical tips<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The PHQ-9 is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.<\/strong> It indicates how likely significant depressive symptoms are, but only a qualified clinician can diagnose depression after a full assessment.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Scores can be influenced by other factors.<\/strong> Grief, chronic illness, thyroid problems, certain medications, substance use or recent stressful life events can all raise the score without depression being present.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Answer honestly and for the correct time window.<\/strong> The questions refer specifically to the last two weeks; thinking of a longer or shorter period distorts the result.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use the same tool when tracking change.<\/strong> For meaningful comparison over time, repeat the PHQ-9 under similar circumstances rather than switching between different questionnaires.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do not self-adjust treatment based on the score.<\/strong> Decisions about starting, stopping or changing medication or therapy should always be made with a clinician.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you are concerned about your mental health, the PHQ-9 is a good first step, but it works best alongside professional advice. Screening instruments are used across medicine for similar purposes \u2014 for example the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/drug-abuse-screening\/\">Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)<\/a> for substance use and the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/qsofa-score-calculator\/\">qSOFA score<\/a> for sepsis risk \u2014 yet none of them replaces a clinical evaluation. If you are in crisis or immediate danger, contact your local emergency number or a crisis line right away.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Score the PHQ-9 depression questionnaire in seconds: answer the nine questions about how you felt over the last 2 weeks and get your total score (0\u201327) with the standard severity band and interpretation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[50],"class_list":["post-66851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-medical","tag-diagnostics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66851","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66851"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66851\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66852,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66851\/revisions\/66852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}