Depression severity — Patient Health Questionnaire
Over the last 2 weeks, how often has the patient been bothered by each of the following?
Little interest or pleasure in doing things
Not at all (0)
Several days (1)
More than half the days (2)
Nearly every day (3)
Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
Not at all (0)
Several days (1)
More than half the days (2)
Nearly every day (3)
Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
Not at all (0)
Several days (1)
More than half the days (2)
Nearly every day (3)
Feeling tired or having little energy
Not at all (0)
Several days (1)
More than half the days (2)
Nearly every day (3)
Poor appetite or overeating
Not at all (0)
Several days (1)
More than half the days (2)
Nearly every day (3)
Feeling bad about yourself, or that you are a failure
Not at all (0)
Several days (1)
More than half the days (2)
Nearly every day (3)
Trouble concentrating on things
Not at all (0)
Several days (1)
More than half the days (2)
Nearly every day (3)
Moving or speaking slowly, or being fidgety / restless
Not at all (0)
Several days (1)
More than half the days (2)
Nearly every day (3)
Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself
Not at all (0)
Several days (1)
More than half the days (2)
Nearly every day (3)
Evidence
Original publication
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. The nine DSM-IV depression criteria rated 0–3; a score ≥ 10 had 88% sensitivity and 88% specificity for major depression, with 5/10/15/20 marking mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression.
Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2001
Open source
Guideline
The PHQ-9 is recommended for depression screening and severity monitoring by the US Preventive Services Task Force framework and NICE; item 9 requires a direct safety assessment when endorsed. The instrument is free to use without permission (developed by Pfizer).
Last reviewed: 2026-09
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MedScore is an educational and clinical decision-support tool. It does not provide a diagnosis, a treatment, or a drug-dosing recommendation, and it does not replace clinical judgement or local guidelines. Confirm every result against the original source before acting on it. The treating clinician remains responsible for all decisions.