Mood
Low mood check
9 questions · 3 min
This is one of the most widely used short questionnaires about low mood. Doctors and nurses around the world use it to see how often common signs, like losing interest in things, feeling down, poor sleep or low energy, have been bothering someone over the last two weeks.
It’s a starting point for understanding how you’re doing, not a diagnosis. Only a professional can tell whether what you’re experiencing is depression.
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What it shows
How often signs of low mood bothered you in the last two weeks.
What it doesn’t
A diagnosis. Only a professional can assess depression.
Who it’s for
This check is for you if you’ve been feeling down, flat or tired for a while, or things you usually enjoy have lost their pull. Putting it into answers can make it easier to see what’s been happening, and easier to explain to your GP.
It’s also useful for keeping track. If you’re already getting support, or making changes of your own, retaking it every couple of weeks can show how things are moving.
Questions people ask
What does the PHQ-9 measure?
It measures how often nine common signs of low mood have bothered you over the last two weeks. These include feeling down, losing interest in things, sleep, energy, appetite, concentration and how you feel about yourself.
How is the PHQ-9 scored?
Each answer scores from 0 to 3, and the nine are added up to a total from 0 to 27. The usual ranges are 0–4 few signs, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 high and 20–27 very high. If you answer anything other than ‘not at all’ to the question about hurting yourself, you’ll see support information whatever your total.
Is the PHQ-9 a diagnosis of depression?
No. It shows how often signs of low mood have bothered you recently, not whether you have depression. Only a professional, such as your GP or a therapist, can assess that.
How often can I retake it?
Every two weeks or so works well, because the questions ask about the last two weeks. Looking at your results over time tells you more than a single score.
What if I’ve been having thoughts of hurting myself?
If you might hurt yourself, call your local emergency number now. You can also find free, confidential helplines in your country at findahelpline.com. Please also tell your doctor or someone you trust as soon as you can.
What should I do if my score is high?
A higher score is a good reason to talk to a doctor or therapist. They can help you understand what’s going on and what might help. You don’t have to sort this out on your own.
Where it comes from
Developed by doctors Kurt Kroenke, Robert Spitzer and Janet Williams in 2001, and used in clinics around the world.
Patient Health Questionnaire
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