PHQ9

The PHQ9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a tool used to assess the severity of symptoms of depression. It is a 9-item questionnaire that is based on the criteria for a major depressive episode in the Diagn and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Each item corresponds to a symptom of depression and is rated on a scale of 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). The scores for each item are added together to give a total score, which can range from 0 to 27. A score of 10 or higher is generally considered to indicate at least a mild level of depression

What are PHQ9 Questions?

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem: Little interest or pleasure in doing things?

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem: Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem: Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much?

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem: Feeling tired or having little energy?

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem: Poor appetite or overeating?

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem: Feeling bad about yourself—or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down?

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem: Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television?

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem: 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?

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem: Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way?

The PHQ-9 is scored by giving a score of 0 to 3 for each question, based on how often the symptom was experienced. The total score ranges from 0-27 with higher scores indicating more severe depression. The score and patient interview will help the clinician to determine the severity and plan the treatment accordingly.