Screening Test for Depression

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a depression questionnaire created by Dr. Kurt Kroenke, Robert L. Spitzer, and Janet B.W. Williams. It asks nine questions spanning your mood, energy, sleep, appetite, and ability to focus. Doctors and therapists often use it when screening for depression or checking how treatment is progressing. The States of Mind depression self-assessment tool mirrors the questions found on the PHQ-9.

Guided by the PHQ-9, and using the evidence base for the results of this test it can give a good overview of someone’s symptomatology so long as it is engaged with honestly. Whilst an online mental health screening tool uses the same questions a clinician might, there are some differences too. For example information regarding context, individual differences is not taken in this online measure. Issues around extreme low mood and suicidality cannot be managed by this online screen. In addition to this, States of Mind and the clinicians working for them cannot be held responsible for any risk linked to low mood you might report during the test. If you are concerned about extreme mood disorders in yourself or someone you are gathering information about please seek mental health treatment urgently.

No, this depression self-test gives you screening results, not a diagnosis. Only a licensed mental health professional can actually diagnose depression. This diagnosis will be based on a range of factors and will be bespoke to you and your life circumstances. This States of Mind Screening tool is intended as a first step that helps you figure out if it makes sense to talk to a professional.

This depression diagnosis test is for anyone 18 or older who’s wondering if what they’re feeling might be symptoms of depression. Maybe you’ve been down for a while, lost interest in things you used to enjoy, noticed your sleep or appetites off, or just feel different somehow. It’s also useful if you’re already undertaking mental health treatment and want to track progress.

Your score can range from 0 to 27 based on how often you’re experiencing symptoms. Here’s the breakdown:
• 0-4: Minimal or no depression symptoms
• 5-9: Mild symptoms
• 10-14: Moderate depression
• 15-19 Moderately severe depression
• 20-27: Severe depression
If you score 10 or above, that’s usually a sign you should talk to a healthcare provider. Higher scores mean symptoms are happening more often and hitting harder, which means you may benefit from professional support.

If you’re keeping an eye on symptoms or are already in treatment, taking a PHQ-9 based depression symptom self-assessment every 2-4 weeks can be helpful. When you do this you’re able to see if things are changing. At the start of treatment your mental health professional may suggest more regular screenings. There is no obligation for you to do this test more than once and as it is a free test you are not tied in to complete retakes.

Whilst you can’t officially diagnose yourself, it’s possible to recognize when something is not right and when you might need to seek support. This depression questionnaire can help you spot patterns in your mood. Receiving a diagnosis requires a trained professional who can ask more questions and rule out other conditions which could be affecting your mood. This can then inform any treatment plan too.

To display your test results, States of Mind ask for your email address and for you to opt into future mailings. Once you have received your results which may also include personalized recommendations for conditions or articles you might find helpful, you can unsubscribe at any time.

After you finish this depression screen, you’ll see your score and an explanation of what it means. You’ll get suggestions for what to do next depending on your results – maybe some self-care ideas, a suggestion to call your doctor, or if your scores were high and indicate severity, information on getting immediate help. Taking the test doesn’t automatically tell anyone or send notifications; results stay personal to you unless you choose to discuss them with your own care professionals.

Sometimes mild depression gets better without treatment, especially if it’s tied to something specific that gets resolved. Sometimes developing new habits and routines such as exercise or activity groups means there becomes more people around a person who is struggling and this can be really beneficial. Sometimes symptoms of depression can be linked to grief, trauma or a difficulty at work. If you recognize that you tend to go through bouts of depression where symptoms relapse and remit you might well find it helpful to speak to someone qualified to screen for any underlying factors which might contribute to your mood. Moderate to severe depression usually needs professional treatment to truly improve and may also benefit from medication prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist. Getting treatment can make a real difference in how well and how quickly people recover.

You should see a doctor if:
Your depression screening shows moderate or higher symptoms (that’s a score of 10 or more),
If what you’re experiencing is affecting your ability to work or take care of your daily responsibilities,
If you’ve been feeling this way for more than a couple weeks,
If you’re having any thoughts about hurting yourself or ending your own life, get help immediately,
Even if your score is lower, but you’re worried about your mental health, it’s completely fine to talk to a professional.

This depression self-test includes questions about anxiety because depression and anxiety often co-exist. Your results may highlight for you that anxiety symptoms contribute to your difficulties. Many people experience symptoms of both anxiety and depression at the same time. Treating one can often help the other. Just make sure you mention any anxiety or worry when you talk to a provider about your results.

This depression diagnosis test uses the PHQ-9 developed by Dr. Kurt Kroenke, Robert L. Spitzer, and Janet B.W. Williams. The PHQ-9 has been tested and validated in numerous research studies and follows the DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder. It’s one of the most researched and commonly used depression screening tools in clinical settings.