Mood
Quick mood and worry check
4 questions · 1 min
This is a very short check that combines two questions about worry and two about low mood. Doctors use it as a quick first look at how someone has been feeling over the last two weeks.
Because it’s so short, it can only point to whether a longer check might be useful. It’s not a diagnosis.
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What it shows
A quick snapshot of worry and low mood over the last two weeks.
What it doesn’t
A diagnosis. It’s a quick first look, not a full assessment.
Who it’s for
This is for you if you’ve been feeling more worried or down than usual and want a quick way to check in. It takes about a minute, so it’s an easy first step when you’re not sure whether something’s wrong.
It’s also useful for keeping an eye on things every couple of weeks. If your worry or low mood score comes out higher, a longer check or a chat with your doctor can give you a fuller picture.
Questions people ask
What does the PHQ-4 measure?
Two questions ask about anxiety, such as feeling nervous or being unable to stop worrying. Two ask about low mood, such as feeling down or losing interest in things. You get a total, plus a separate score for worry and for low mood.
How long does it take?
About a minute. There are four questions about the last two weeks, each answered from “Not at all” to “Nearly every day”.
How is it scored?
Each answer scores 0 to 3, for a total of 0 to 12: 0 to 2 shows few signs, 3 to 5 is mild, 6 to 8 moderate and 9 to 12 high. A score of 3 or more on either the two worry or the two low mood questions suggests that area is worth a closer look.
How does the PHQ-4 relate to the PHQ-9 and GAD-7?
It’s made up of the first two questions of each of two longer, widely used questionnaires: the GAD-7 for anxiety and the PHQ-9 for depression. If either part of your result is raised, those longer checks give more detail.
Is this a diagnosis?
No. It’s a quick first look, not a full assessment. Only a doctor or other health professional can properly assess anxiety or depression.
What should I do if my score is high?
A higher score means it’s worth paying attention, not that something is definitely wrong. A doctor or therapist can help you understand what’s behind the worry or low mood, and what might help. If you might hurt yourself, call your local emergency number now; free, confidential helplines: findahelpline.com.
Where it comes from
Developed by doctors Kurt Kroenke, Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams and Bernd Löwe in 2009 as a very short version of two longer questionnaires.
Patient Health Questionnaire for anxiety and depression
On iPhone or iPad?
Sprout is an app there too, and this link opens the test straight away if you have it.
Coming soon to the App Store