Depression test

Yes. Your PHQ-9 score (0–27) and your severity tier (minimal / mild / moderate / moderately severe / severe) are entirely free and sign-up free. The detailed report with dimension interpretation, differential and personalised recommendations is premium.

Only a health professional can make a diagnosis. This test gives you a structured signal based on the PHQ-9: if your score is ≥ 10, a clinically significant depressive episode is likely and a consultation is recommended (primary-care guidelines worldwide). A score < 5 means few depressive signals. In between, the mild tier (5–9) invites you to watch and take care of yourself.

No. It's a screening tool based on the PHQ-9. A depression diagnosis can only be made by a qualified health professional (primary-care doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist) after a clinical interview that assesses symptom duration, functional impairment and differential diagnoses. This test gives you a strong or weak signal, but only a full assessment can confirm a depressive episode and specify its type.

On the Patient Health Questionnaire — 9 items (PHQ-9), published by Kroenke, Spitzer and Williams in 2001 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The 9 core items mirror the 9 DSM-5-TR criteria for a major depressive episode (APA, 2022).

The PHQ-9 shows a sensitivity of about 88 % and a specificity of about 88 % at the ≥ 10 cutoff (meta-analysis Manea et al., 2012, CMAJ, 18 studies). The original Kroenke, Spitzer & Williams (2001) study reported about 75 % sensitivity and 94 % specificity against a structured interview with a mental-health professional. It's one of the most widely used screening tools worldwide. Still a screening, not a diagnosis.

Yes, as often as you want. The PHQ-9 is actually the most common tool for monitoring the evolution of a depressive episode over time — typically every 2 to 4 weeks during treatment follow-up. Previous answers aren't compared automatically, each session is atomic.

If your PHQ-9 score is ≥ 10, the next step is a consultation with your primary-care doctor or a mental-health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist). You can print your results or show your report to kick-start the conversation — it saves time in the appointment. If your score is low but you're struggling, the differential report may point to another track (anxiety, burnout, bipolar, borderline) that also deserves a fitting consultation.

Common path: primary-care doctor → referral to a psychiatrist or a psychologist depending on the picture. For moderate to severe forms, treatment often combines psychotherapy and antidepressants — around 70 % of cases respond to treatment (Inserm), with antidepressants typically taking 2–4 weeks to kick in. Coverage varies by country and insurance — ask your primary-care doctor about local pathways.

Yes. Item 9 of the PHQ-9 asks about thoughts of death or self-harm — the one item where any non-zero response is clinically significant. If you answer positively, the test asks whether you feel safe, and crisis numbers — 988 (US / Canada Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), 116 123 (UK / EU Samaritans) — are shown if you indicate you need to talk to someone. If you're in crisis right now, call 988 (US), 116 123 (UK), or your local emergency number.

Feeling down is passing, event-reactive, and lasts a few days to a few weeks. Depression (major depressive episode) lasts at least 2 weeks, touches at least 5 DSM-5 criteria with marked functional impairment — this is what this test screens for. Chronic / persistent depression (dysthymia) is a longer form (≥ 2 years) at lower intensity, not covered here. To go further, see our depression guide.