PHQ-9
Depression Screener
Updated: 1/7/2026
1. What the PHQ-9 is (and what it isn’t)
The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a short, evidence-based screening questionnaire that helps you estimate how much depression-related symptoms have been affecting you over the past two weeks. It’s widely used in healthcare because it’s quick, clear, and helpful for both screening and tracking change over time.
It’s not a diagnosis - and it can’t explain the full “why” behind what you’re feeling - but it can give you a grounded starting point for understanding patterns like low mood, loss of interest, sleep/appetite changes, fatigue, concentration difficulty, and hopelessness.
2. Who is the PHQ-9 for?
The PHQ-9 is designed for adolescents and adults who want to check in on depressive symptoms, including people who:
-
feel “flat,” numb, or like things don’t feel worth the effort
-
notice a loss of interest or motivation (even for things they usually like)
-
are struggling with sleep, energy, appetite, focus, or self-worth
-
want to track symptoms over time (therapy, medication changes, stressful seasons, burnout recovery)
If you’re neurodivergent, the PHQ-9 can still be useful - but context matters. “Depression-like” symptoms can overlap with burnout, sensory overload, chronic overwhelm, shutdown, masking fatigue, and executive function strain. The score can be informative, but it’s never the whole story.
3. What to expect when taking the PHQ-9
Most people finish the GAD-7 in 2–3 minutes.​
You’ll respond to 9 statements about depression symptoms and choose how often each has bothered you in the last two weeks:
-
Not at all
-
Several days
-
More than half the days
-
Nearly every day​
​
There’s also a final question asking how much these symptoms have affected your day-to-day life - work, school, relationships, home responsibilities, or simply getting through the day. That piece matters because distress and impairment often tell us as much as the number itself.
4. Understanding your score
Each item is scored from 0 to 3, then added up for a total score between 0 and 27.
Score ranges:
-
0–4: Minimal depression
-
5–9: Mild depression
-
10–14: Moderate depression
-
15–19: Moderately severe depression
-
20–27: Severe depression
A score of 10 or higher is often used as a signal that depression may be clinically significant and worth discussing with a qualified professional - especially if symptoms are disrupting daily functioning.
Important safety note: Question 9 asks about thoughts of being better off dead or of self-harm. Any response other than “not at all” is a reason to pause and get additional support/assessment from someone qualified.
5. Next steps
If your score is mild (5–9)
You might consider:
-
tracking your score weekly for a few weeks to spot patterns
-
checking basics that strongly affect mood: sleep, nutrition, movement, social connection, and recovery time
-
noticing what’s driving the dip (stress load, loneliness, conflict, sensory strain, burnout, chronic illness flare-ups)
​ ​
If your score is moderate (10–14)
It may be time to add structured support:
-
talk with a therapist or medical provider
-
consider evidence-based therapy for depression (and for the “why” behind it)
-
ask about differential factors (burnout vs depression, trauma stress responses, ADHD/autism-related overload) so your plan actually fits you
​ ​
If your score is moderately severe or severe (15+)
Strongly consider:
-
scheduling an appointment with a mental health professional soon
-
discussing a combined approach (therapy + medical support when appropriate)
-
leaning on supports now (trusted people, reduced demands, safety planning if needed) while you get care in place
6. Additional Resources
If you are interested in further support, learn more about the expertise available here at ScienceWorks!
Our unique care model spans three essential domains to function as a “one-stop-shop” for mental health.
-
Assessments: Understand yourself and your treatment better with assessments for ADHD, autism, and general diagnostics. Our custom packages are efficient and affordable.
​​
-
Therapy: Dynamic, evidence-based treatments for a wide range of conditions – get an individualized treatment plan with targeted therapies adapted for your brain and your objectives to support the whole person.
​​
-
Coaching: Understand your neurotype and enhance treatment outcomes by turning therapeutic concepts into everyday skills to maximize their benefits.
Note: Screeners cannot be used to diagnose or treat any mental health condition - nor can they be used to replace dedicated care from a qualified professional. They can be a helpful tool when searching for, or working with, a professional. If you have questions about applicability, please contact us!