Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by…
0 / 9Not at allSeveral daysMore than half the daysNearly every day
1Little interest or pleasure in doing things
2Feeling down, depressed or hopeless
3Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
4Feeling tired or having little energy
5Poor appetite or overeating
6Feeling bad about yourself, or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
7Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading or watching television
8Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could notice, or being so fidgety or restless that you move around much more than usual
9Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way
YOUR PHQ-9 SCORE9 questions to go
MinimalMildModerateMod. severeSevere
0510152027
0out of 27 · not startedYour score updates as you answer. Answer all nine for a result you can share with a doctor.What depression is, in short
Depression is a common mental health condition in which low mood or loss of interest lasts most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, alongside changes in sleep, energy, appetite, concentration or self-worth that affect daily life.
It's different from ordinary sadness: it lasts longer, affects more of life, and doesn't simply lift when circumstances improve. It is also very treatable.
By What's Your IQ · Reviewed 4 Oct 2026- Questionnaire
- PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire)
- Time frame
- The last 2 weeks
- Score range
- 0–27; 10+ is the usual cut-off for likely depression
- Worldwide
- About 280 million people live with depression
Depression, explained
ORDINARY SADNESSDEPRESSION
How longHours or daysMost of the day, nearly every day, 2+ weeksTriggerUsually a clear causeCan appear without an obvious reasonInterestCan still enjoy thingsLittle pleasure in most thingsDaily lifeYou keep goingWork, sleep and relationships suffer
THE TWO CORE QUESTIONSLow mood, or loss of interestQuestions 1 and 2 on their own form the PHQ-2, a quick first check. At least one of them is needed for a diagnosis of major depression.
WHAT HELPS · STEPPED CARE
The stepped-care approach used in guidelines such as NICE's: support steps up if a lighter option isn't enough.Start with the lightest step that works
1Any levelNotice & talkTell a GP or doctor how the last few weeks have been. They can rule out physical causes like thyroid problems and agree a plan with you.GP appointmentTrack your mood
2MildSelf-help with supportStructured, guided approaches based on CBT, often digital or in groups, plus regular physical activity and sleep routines.Guided self-helpGroup exerciseSleep routine
3Moderate to severeTalking therapy & medicationIndividual therapy such as CBT, behavioural activation or interpersonal therapy; antidepressants may be offered, alone or combined.CBTBehavioural activationAntidepressants
4Severe or complexSpecialist careCombined therapy and medication with a specialist mental health team, and urgent support if there’s any risk to safety.Specialist teamCombined treatmentCrisis support
280Mpeople live with depressionAbout 3.8% of the world's population, according to the World Health Organization.
HOW WELL A SCORE OF 10+ PICKS UP MAJOR DEPRESSIONFrom the PHQ-9's validation in primary care and obstetrics clinics (Kroenke et al., 2001).
88%of people with it scored 10 or more
88%of people without it scored below 10
- 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.
- World Health Organization. (2023). Depressive disorder (depression) [Fact sheet].