Clinical Scales
Total0/ 27
Minimal

Self-report

PHQ-9

Patient Health Questionnaire-9

A nine-item self-report measure of depressive symptom severity over the past two weeks, scored 0–27. Widely used for screening, diagnosis support, and monitoring treatment response.

For use by qualified clinicians as a decision-support aid. Scores support but do not replace clinical judgment. This is not a diagnostic instrument and no information is stored or transmitted.

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

  1. 1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
  2. 2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
  3. 3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
  4. 4. Feeling tired or having little energy
  5. 5. Poor appetite or overeating
  6. 6. Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
  7. 7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
  8. 8. 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
  9. 9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way
  10. 10. If you checked off any problems, how difficult have these problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?(not scored)

Score interpretation

ScoreSeverityGuidance
04 MinimalMinimal or no depressive symptoms.
59 MildMild depression; watchful waiting, repeat PHQ-9 at follow-up.
1014 ModerateModerate depression; consider treatment plan (counselling and/or pharmacotherapy).
1519 Moderately severeActive treatment with pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy.
2027 SevereImmediate initiation of pharmacotherapy and expedited referral.
Source: Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW. The PHQ-9. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16(9):606–613. Developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams, and Kroenke with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission required to reproduce, translate, or use.