What is the PHQ-9?

The PHQ-9 is a validated screening questionnaire used to assess depressive symptoms and related functioning over the past two weeks.

You will be offered optional general well-being suggestions based on your answers.

It is intended for adults aged 18 years or older.

The PHQ-9 is a screening tool and does not provide an official diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis of depression can only be made by a healthcare professional.

Results interpretation

Higher scores on this questionnaire are associated with increased depressive symptoms and may reflect a lower mood in recent weeks.

If your score is high, you may wish to consider speaking with a healthcare professional who can provide a full evaluation and, if appropriate, a diagnosis and treatment options.

Why consider taking this questionnaire?

This questionnaire can help you reflect on your mood, energy, sleep, motivation, and daily functioning over the past two weeks and notice recent changes.

When to consider taking this questionnaire

This questionnaire may be helpful if you want to reflect on recent changes in areas such as:

  1. Lower mood
  2. Changes in sleep
  3. Reduced motivation

Instructions:

  1. Please answer each question based on how you have felt over the past two weeks, selecting the option that best reflects your experience.

Answer the following inquiry for each question listed below:

“Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?”

Little interest or pleasure in doing things.

Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless.

Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much.

Feeling tired or having little energy.

Poor appetite or overeating.

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

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

Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite - being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual.

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