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Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Test

In about 2 minutes, this 9-item check helps gauge depressive symptoms and their severity over the past two weeks. Quick, clear scoring makes it a trusted baseline for screening and tracking change in busy clinics.

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Questions: 92 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

28,995 views

3,216 completions

2,651 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

9/27

Depression Severity (DS)

Assesses the severity of depressive symptoms experienced over the past two weeks.

None/Minimal

Mild

Clinically significant

0 – 4: None/Minimal | 5 – 9: Mild | 10 – 27: Clinically significant

A score of 9 falls in the Mild range, suggesting possible mild depressive symptoms over the past two weeks.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Concerned about mood changes

41%OF USERS

People who have felt low, tired, irritable, or uninterested for the past couple of weeks and want a quick check of symptom severity.

Patients in primary care

34%OF USERS

People visiting a general doctor for sleep, appetite, pain, or fatigue issues where depression screening can clarify what’s going on.

Tracking treatment progress

25%OF USERS

People already in therapy or starting medication who need a fast, repeatable way to monitor changes in symptoms over time.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
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Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

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Interpretation

You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.

Practical
Recommendations

You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Powered
Insights

Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

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Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Depression Level (DL)

Average

18.1

Normal range

13.2 — 23

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It screens for depressive symptoms and estimates symptom severity. It is intended for quick, initial assessment.

What time period should responses cover?

Responses should reflect the past two weeks. Select the option that best matches how often each symptom occurred during that period.

How long does it take and how many items are included?

It includes 9 items and typically takes about 2 minutes to complete.

How are the results used in clinical settings?

Scores support decisions about whether further evaluation or treatment planning is indicated. Repeated use can help track changes in symptoms over time.

Does a high score confirm a diagnosis of depression?

No, it is a screening tool and does not establish a diagnosis by itself. A clinician should interpret results in context and consider additional assessment when needed.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Test - Symptoms and Signs

depression

In settings where a brief screen for depressive symptoms is needed, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) provides a structured self-report measure aligned with common diagnostic symptom domains. It is typically used to support initial symptom identification and to guide the need for further clinical evaluation.

The measure consists of 9 items and is usually completed in about 2 minutes. Items ask about the frequency of depressive symptoms over the past 2 weeks, allowing clinicians to summarize symptom burden and monitor change over time.

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is commonly used in primary care and other outpatient contexts where time is limited. Results should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical interview, functional impairment, risk assessment, and relevant medical factors, and are not intended to serve as a stand-alone diagnosis.

Author: j-b-w-williams, k-kroenke, r-l-spitzer

Literature: Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory–II. Psychological Corporation. 1996.; Derogatis, L. R. SCL-90-R: Administration, scoring and procedures manual. National Computer Systems. 1994.; Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. W. The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2001.

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