PHQ-9 Screening

Let’s Talk about your Mental Well-Being

This easy to use patient questionnaire is a self-administered version of the PRIME-MD diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders.^[1] The PHQ-9 is the depression module, which scores each of the nine DSM-IV criteria as “0” (not at all) to “3” (nearly every day). It has been validated for use in primary care.^[2]

It is not a screening tool for depression but it is used to monitor the severity of depression and response to treatment. However, it can be used to make a tentative diagnosis of depression in at-risk populations – eg, those with coronary heart disease or after stroke.^[3, 4]

When screening for depression the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) can be used first (it has a 97% sensitivity and a 67% specificity).^[5]If this is positive, the PHQ-9 can then be used, which has 61% sensitivity and 94% specificity in adults.

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

Name

Contact Number

E-mail

Q1: Little interest or pleasure in doing things?

Q2: Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?

Q3: Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much?

Q4: Feeling tired or having little energy?

Q5: Poor appetite or overeating?

Q6: Feeling bad about yourself - or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down?

Q7: Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television?

Q8: 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?

Q9: Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way?

Your Results:

Please answer all the questions on the left to get your result.

Validity has been assessed against an independent structured mental health professional (MHP) interview. PHQ-9 score ≥10 had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 88% for major depression.^[1] It can even be used over the telephone.^[6]

Normal

Congratulation, you have stay away from depressions.

Mild Depression

It looks like you might be experiencing some mild emotional clouds. Remember, it’s okay to seek support and talk about your feelings.

Moderate Depression

You’ve identified some moderate emotional struggles, but remember, you don’t have to face them alone. Reach out to friends or professionals who can lend a listening ear.

Moderately Severe Depression

It seems you’re dealing with some moderately severe emotional challenges. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, and there are people who care about you and want to help.

Severe Depression

I’m sorry to hear that you’re experiencing severe emotional struggles. Please remember, reaching out for support is essential, and you don’t have to carry this weight alone. Speak to someone you trust or a mental health professional.

1. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB; The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001 Sep 16(9):606-13.

2. Cameron IM, Crawford JR, Lawton K, et al; Psychometric comparison of PHQ-9 and HADS for measuring depression severity in primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2008 Jan 58(546):32-6. doi: 10.3399/bjgp08X263794.

3. Haddad M, Walters P, Phillips R, et al; Detecting depression in patients with coronary heart disease: a diagnostic evaluation of the PHQ-9 and HADS-D in primary care, findings from the UPBEAT-UK study. PLoS One. 2013 Oct 10 8(10):e78493. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078493.

4. de Man-van Ginkel JM, Gooskens F, Schepers VP, et al; Screening for poststroke depression using the patient health questionnaire. Nurs Res. 2012 Sep-Oct 61(5):333-41.

5. Maurer DM; Screening for depression. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Jan 15 85(2):139-44.

6. Pinto-Meza A, Serrano-Blanco A, Penarrubia MT, et al; Assessing depression in primary care with the PHQ-9: can it be carried out over the telephone? J Gen Intern Med. 2005 Aug 20(8):738-42

Note about credits

The copyright for the PHQ-9 was formerly held with Pfizer, who provided the educational grant for Drs Spitzer, Williams and Kroenke who originally designed it.^[1] This is no longer the case and no permission is required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute the PHQ-9

PHQ-9 Screening

Your Results:

Normal

Mild Depression

Moderate Depression

Moderately Severe Depression

Severe Depression

Note about credits

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