Depression Screener (PHQ-9)

About the PHQ-9

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is one of the most widely used depression screeners in the world. It was developed by Drs. Kurt Kroenke, Robert Spitzer, and Janet Williams in 2001 and validated in clinical practice across primary care and mental health settings.

Clinicians use it to gauge depression severity and track response to treatment. A score of 10 or above is the standard threshold for "likely major depression" in most research.

What the PHQ-9 Does (and Does Not) Do

A PHQ-9 score is a useful educational signal — it tells you roughly where your symptoms sit on a severity scale. It is not a diagnosis. Depression can only be diagnosed by a qualified clinician who can distinguish it from conditions with overlapping symptoms (bipolar disorder, grief, adjustment disorder, thyroid problems, medication side effects, and others).

Use your score as a conversation starter with a professional, not a verdict.

Next Steps

If your score suggests mild or higher symptoms, consider:

• Reading about depression to understand the condition better
• Exploring evidence-based therapies like CBT, IPT, or behavioral activation
• Speaking with your primary care provider or a licensed therapist

If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 in the US) or Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741). Outside the US, Find A Helpline lists crisis resources by country.

Citation

Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. W. (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606-613.