PHQ-9 Depression Self-Assessment:
Clinically Validated & Confidential
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is the global gold standard used by clinicians to assess depressive symptoms and measure severity. Answer 9 questions for an immediate, private evaluation.
Prompt: Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
Medical Notice: This assessment is a standardized screening questionnaire and does not replace a formal medical or clinical diagnosis.
Immediate Support & Crisis Helplines
You reported thoughts of death or self-harm. Please know that you do not have to carry this alone. Free, confidential, and compassionate help is available 24/7:
Clinical Interpretation
Your score indicates minimal to no depressive symptoms.
Why a Single Test Is Only Part of the Picture
Depressive symptoms fluctuate daily. With Dypa, you can repeat the PHQ-9 bi-weekly, correlate it with sleep quality and daily activities, and generate clinician-ready PDF export reports for your therapist or psychiatrist.
Clinical Overview: What Does the PHQ-9 Measure?
Developed by Dr. Kurt Kroenke, Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, and Dr. Janet B.W. Williams (2001), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) maps directly to the 9 diagnostic DSM-5 criteria and ICD-11 guidelines for major depressive episodes.
High Sensitivity & Specificity
At a cut-off score of 10 points, the PHQ-9 has an 88% sensitivity and 88% specificity for identifying clinically significant major depression.
Measurement-Based Care
In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a 5-point drop represents a clinically meaningful treatment response, allowing clinicians to tailor interventions accurately.
100% Privacy by Design
Neither this web questionnaire nor the Dypa app transmits your mental health data to third-party servers. Everything stays on your local device.
PHQ-9 Score Interpretation & Clinical Action Chart
| Score Range | Depression Severity | Clinical Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 4 | Minimal / None | No clinical treatment suggested. Maintain healthy sleep hygiene and stress management routines. |
| 5 – 9 | Mild Depression | Watchful waiting, structured self-observation with Dypa mood diary, physical exercise, and behavioral activation. |
| 10 – 14 | Moderate Depression | Clinical Threshold: Consultation with a physician or licensed therapist advised. Initiate outpatient counseling or CBT. |
| 15 – 19 | Moderately Severe | Active treatment plan indicated (evidence-based psychotherapy and/or psychiatric medical evaluation). |
| 20 – 27 | Severe Depression | Immediate clinical assessment by a mental health professional or psychiatric clinic recommended. |
Related Guides, Screenings & CBT Tools
Depression Mood Tracker
How continuous logging overcomes negative recall bias and reinforces behavioral activation.
YMRS Score: Mania Assessment
The Young Mania Rating Scale for evaluating manic and hypomanic states in bipolar spectrum disorders.
Digital Therapy Journal
Log CBT thought records, behavioral experiments, and reflections between therapy sessions.
For Therapists & Clinicians
Longitudinal PDF exports and granular symptom tracking to enhance diagnostic accuracy in sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does this test provide a formal diagnosis?
No. The PHQ-9 is a validated screening tool designed to highlight symptom severity. A medical diagnosis must always be made by a licensed healthcare provider through comprehensive clinical evaluation.
What is the difference between PHQ-9 and PHQ-2?
The PHQ-2 consists only of the first two core questions (loss of interest and feeling down). If a respondent scores $\ge 3$ on the PHQ-2, clinicians administer the full 9-item questionnaire for comprehensive assessment.
How does Dypa assist in longitudinal symptom tracking?
In the Dypa app, you can retake the PHQ-9 every two weeks while recording daily mood, sleep, and triggers. Dypa plots your trajectory over time and generates clinical PDF reports for your therapist.