Depression Screener (PHQ-9)
Nine questions about mood, energy, sleep, and appetite over the past two weeks. The PHQ-9 is the most widely used depression screener in primary care and psychiatry.
Depression Screener
2 minutes · 9 questions
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) measures the nine symptoms that define major depressive disorder in the DSM-5. Clinicians use it both to screen for depression and to track whether treatment is working over time.
Answer for the last two weeks, as honestly as you can. There are no right answers, and nothing you enter here is saved or sent anywhere.
This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose a mental health condition.
About the PHQ-9
Does a high PHQ-9 score mean I have depression?
No. The PHQ-9 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. A high score means your symptom pattern is consistent with depression and deserves a clinical evaluation. A diagnosis requires a clinician to review your history, rule out medical causes such as thyroid problems, and consider whether another condition — including bipolar disorder — better explains what you are experiencing.
How often should I retake it?
Every two weeks is a common interval, because the PHQ-9 asks about the previous two weeks. Many clinicians repeat it at each visit to track whether a treatment is working. A drop of five or more points is generally considered a meaningful improvement.
Is my answer to question 9 confidential?
Nothing you enter here leaves your device — there is no account, no submission, and no storage. That said, if you answered anything other than "not at all" to question 9, please tell a clinician or call 988. Thoughts of death or self-harm are treatable symptoms, and disclosing them is the fastest route to relief.
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Circle Psychiatry offers evaluations, medication management, and therapy in Colorado Springs and by telehealth across Colorado. Book online, or call 719-208-4027. In a crisis, call or text 988, or call 911.