Take the depression test
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by each of the following? Answer honestly for the most accurate result.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a common medical condition that affects how you feel, think, and handle daily life, causing persistent sadness, low mood, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed. It is more than a passing low mood, lasting weeks or longer and impacting energy, sleep, and concentration. It is one of the most treatable health conditions, and most people who seek help feel significantly better.
Depression can show up in many ways, and it looks different from person to person. Common symptoms include persistent low mood, losing interest in things you used to love, changes in sleep or appetite, low energy and fatigue, trouble concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and a general sense of heaviness that does not lift. Some people feel deeply sad, while others mainly feel numb, irritable, or simply not like themselves.Depression is far more common than most people realize. It affects people of every age, background, gender, and walk of life, including those who seem to have everything together. It is never a sign of weakness or a personal failing, and it is not something you can simply will away. The reassuring news is that depression is highly treatable. With the right support, the vast majority of people recover and go on to feel like themselves again. Recognizing what you are experiencing is a powerful and caring first step toward feeling better.
Understanding Your PHQ-9 Score
This screener uses the PHQ-9, the same nine-question tool that doctors and mental health professionals around the world rely on to check for depression. Your answers add up to a single score between 0 and 27, and that number gives you a clear, trusted snapshot of how you have been feeling over the past two weeks. Here is what each range means.
- 0 to 4, Minimal: Your responses suggest little or no sign of depression right now. This is a great baseline. Keep doing the things that support your wellbeing.
- 5 to 9, Mild: You may be experiencing mild symptoms. This is common and very manageable. Small steps like better sleep, movement, connection, and checking in with someone you trust can make a real difference.
- 10 to 14, Moderate: Your answers point to moderate symptoms that are worth paying attention to. Many people in this range benefit from talking with a doctor or therapist, and effective support is readily available.
- 15 to 19, Moderately Severe: This range suggests more noticeable symptoms that are affecting your daily life. Reaching out to a healthcare professional is a smart, caring move, and treatment at this stage works well for most people.
- 20 to 27, Severe: Your responses suggest stronger symptoms. Please know that even severe depression responds very well to treatment. Connecting with a doctor or mental health professional soon can help you start feeling better.
Whatever your score, remember that this is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. It is designed to give you helpful insight quickly. A doctor or therapist can confirm what is going on and help you find the right next step. The most important takeaway is this: depression is treatable, and feeling better is absolutely possible.
Your Next Steps Forward
However you scored, you have just done something genuinely positive: you paused and checked in on yourself. That kind of self-awareness is a real strength, and it is often the very first step people take on the path to feeling better.
If your results suggest depression, the most encouraging thing to know is that it is highly treatable. Talking with a doctor or therapist can make a remarkable difference, and there are more effective options today than ever before, from talk therapy to lifestyle support to medical care when it is helpful. You do not have to figure it all out at once, and you do not have to do it alone.
In the meantime, small acts of self-care add up. Aim for steady sleep, gentle movement, regular meals, and time outdoors. Stay connected to people who lift you up, and be patient and kind with yourself on harder days. Try to keep a simple routine, even when motivation is low.
Above all, reaching out is a sign of strength, never weakness. Sharing how you feel with someone you trust, a friend, a family member, or a professional, is one of the bravest and smartest things you can do. Brighter days are ahead, and help is closer than you think.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this depression test accurate?
Yes. This screener is built on the PHQ-9, one of the most widely used and clinically validated depression assessments in the world. It is the same nine-question tool that doctors, therapists, and clinics use every day to check for depression, which is why it gives you a trusted, reliable snapshot of how you have been feeling. While only a healthcare professional can make a formal diagnosis, the PHQ-9 is a respected, evidence-based starting point you can count on.
What is the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 is the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, a short nine-item screening tool that measures the core symptoms of depression over the past two weeks. Each question is scored from 0 to 3, for a total between 0 and 27, which places your results into clear ranges from minimal to severe. It is trusted by clinicians worldwide because it is quick, accurate, and easy to understand.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
Common signs include persistent sadness or low mood, losing interest in activities you used to enjoy, changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, trouble concentrating, feeling worthless or guilty, and a sense of heaviness that does not lift. Depression looks different for everyone. Some people feel deeply sad while others feel numb, irritable, or simply not themselves. If several of these have lasted two weeks or more, this test can help you understand what you are experiencing.
Is depression treatable?
Absolutely, and this is the most important thing to know. Depression is one of the most treatable health conditions there is. The large majority of people who seek help feel significantly better, often within weeks or months. With the right combination of support, which may include therapy, lifestyle changes, and medical care, most people recover and return to feeling like themselves. Feeling better is genuinely possible.
When should I see a doctor?
It is a good idea to talk with a doctor or therapist if your symptoms have lasted more than two weeks, are affecting your daily life, work, or relationships, or if your score falls in the moderate range or higher. Reaching out early often makes recovery faster and easier. Seeking help is a smart, caring step, and a professional can confirm what is going on and guide you toward the right support for you.