Depression Screening Test

How have you been feeling lately?

This free check-in uses the PHQ-9, a questionnaire doctors use to screen for depression. It takes about two minutes, and your answers never leave this page.

• 9 questions
• About 2 minutes
• Private, nothing is saved

Before you begin

Think about the last two weeks. There are no right or wrong answers, so pick whatever fits best.

This tool screens for symptoms. It can’t diagnose depression, and it doesn’t replace advice from a doctor or mental health professional.

Start the check-in

Depression Screening Test What It Is, How It Works, and What Your Score Means

Feeling low for a day or two is part of life. Feeling flat, worn out, and disconnected for weeks is something else. Plenty of people live with that second feeling for months before they put a name to it, partly because depression doesn’t always look the way we expect. A depression screening test can help here. It can’t tell you what’s wrong, but it can tell you whether it’s time to talk to someone.

What Is a Depression Screening Test?

A screening test is a short questionnaire that checks for signs of depression. Doctors use them in routine visits because they’re quick and consistent. The most widely used one is the PHQ-9, a nine-question form that asks how you’ve felt over the last two weeks.

The PHQ-9 is in the public domain, which is why you’ll find it on so many health sites and in so many clinics. It’s not a quiz from a magazine. It was built and tested by researchers and has been studied for years.

How the PHQ-9 Works

Each question describes a common symptom, such as losing interest in things, trouble sleeping, or feeling tired. You pick how often it has bothered you: not at all, several days, more than half the days, or nearly every day. Those answers are worth zero to three points each, so your total falls between zero and 27.

The questions cover mood, sleep, energy, appetite, concentration, self-worth, and movement. The last one asks about thoughts of death or self-harm, and it’s there for an important reason. Even if the rest of your score is low, a yes to that question deserves attention.

What Do the Scores Mean?

Scores are usually grouped like this:

• 0 to 4: minimal symptoms
• 5 to 9: mild symptoms
• 10 to 14: moderate symptoms
• 15 to 19: moderately severe symptoms
• 20 to 27: severe symptoms

A score of 10 or higher is the point where many doctors suggest a closer look. That doesn’t mean you have depression. It means your answers are worth discussing with someone trained to understand them.

Signs People Often Miss

We tend to picture depression as constant sadness, but it can hide in less obvious ways:

• You’ve stopped enjoying things you used to love
• You’re tired even after sleeping, or you can’t sleep at all
• You feel irritable or on edge for no clear reason
• Simple decisions feel exhausting
• Your appetite has changed, up or down
• You’ve pulled away from friends and family
• You feel guilty or like a burden, even when nothing points to it

Some people also notice aches, headaches, or stomach problems that don’t have a clear cause. If several of these have lasted two weeks or more, that’s worth paying attention to.

A Screening Is Not a Diagnosis

This part matters. A screening test is a snapshot of how you’ve felt recently. It can’t account for your health history, your circumstances, or other conditions that look like depression, such as thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, or the effects of some medications. Only a doctor or mental health professional can diagnose depression, usually through a conversation and sometimes a physical exam.

A high score doesn’t mean something is wrong with you, and a low score doesn’t mean your feelings aren’t real. If you’re struggling, that’s reason enough to ask for help.

What to Do After You Take the Test

If your score is low, keep an eye on how you feel and check in again if things change. If it’s in the mild range, small steps like regular sleep, movement, daylight, and time with people you trust often help.

If you scored 10 or higher, or you simply feel that something is off, make an appointment with a doctor, counselor, or therapist. Take your result and a few notes about how long you’ve felt this way. Depression is common and treatable. Talk therapy, medication, or a mix of both help many people feel better.

When to Get Help Right Away

If you’re having thoughts of ending your life or hurting yourself, don’t wait for an appointment. Call your local emergency number or contact a crisis line now. In the US, you can call or text 988. In other countries, findahelpline.com lists free support lines by country. Telling someone you trust can help too.

The Bottom Line

A depression screening test takes about two minutes and asks nothing you have to prepare for. It won’t replace a professional, but it can make the first step easier, because it turns a vague feeling into something you can say out loud. If your answers surprise you, take that seriously, and take the next step.