Checkup · Depression
Depression · 2-minute checkAm I depressed — or just worn down?
Some weeks the flatness doesn't lift — and you start to wonder if it's more than tiredness. This 2-minute self-check uses the PHQ-9, the nine-item depression screen doctors use, to tell you where you land, which kind of low you're carrying, and what actually helps next.
What the PHQ-9 actually measures
The PHQ-9 (Spitzer, Kroenke & Williams; freely available via Pfizer) is the nine-item depression screen used in clinics worldwide. Each item asks how often, over the last two weeks, a symptom has bothered you — scored 0 to 3 — for a total out of 27. It maps the core of depression: low mood, loss of interest, sleep and appetite changes, low energy, guilt, trouble concentrating, and slowed or restless movement.
Depression vs. just being worn down
Everyone gets tired, stretched, and occasionally flat — that isn't a disorder. The difference is persistence and pervasiveness: ordinary low mood lifts after sleep or a good day; depression hangs on most of the day, nearly every day, for two weeks or more. The PHQ-9 asks about exactly that window, which is why it's better at telling the difference than your own gut at 3 a.m. If your score is high — or it's bleeding into how you function — talk to a professional, and it's worth checking your anxiety too, since depression and anxiety travel together.
FAQ
What is the PHQ-9?
A nine-item depression screen (Spitzer, Kroenke & Williams; free to use via Pfizer). Each item is scored 0–3 over a two-week window, for a total of 0–27.
Is this clinically validated?
The PHQ-9 is a validated screening instrument doctors use; this page uses the items and standard cut-offs unaltered. It's a screen, not a diagnosis — only a professional can diagnose depression.
What score means depression?
Bands are 0–4 minimal, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 moderately severe, 20–27 severe. A total of 10 or higher is the standard signal to get assessed.
What should I do if my score is high?
Talk to a GP or therapist. Depression is real and treatable, and a self-check isn't a substitute for care. If you have any thoughts of harming yourself, reach out now — find support in your country or call local emergency services.
Are my answers private?
Completely. Everything is scored in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere or seen by us.
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