PHQ-9: What It Is, How It's Used, and What Your Scores Mean

When a doctor asks you to fill out the PHQ-9, a nine-question screening tool used to identify depression symptoms. Also known as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, it's one of the most common ways clinicians check for depression in everyday practice. It’s not a diagnosis — it’s a starting point. You answer questions about how often you’ve felt down, lost interest in things, had trouble sleeping, or felt worthless over the past two weeks. Each answer gets a score, and the total tells your provider if you might need more help.

The PHQ-9, a standardized mental health assessment tool is built on simple, clear language. You don’t need to be a doctor or a therapist to understand it. That’s the point. It works because it’s practical. It’s used in primary care offices, urgent care centers, and even telehealth visits. The questions cover the core signs of depression: low mood, lack of energy, changes in appetite, trouble concentrating, and thoughts of self-harm. If you score 10 or higher, it usually means your symptoms are moderate to severe — and your provider should take action. A score of 20 or above often signals severe depression that needs immediate attention.

What makes the PHQ-9 different from other tools? It’s fast — takes under five minutes. It’s validated — backed by decades of research and used in over 100 countries. And it’s repeatable. You can take it every few weeks to see if treatment is working. Many providers use it to track progress after starting an antidepressant or therapy. It’s not perfect — it doesn’t catch anxiety, bipolar disorder, or trauma — but for spotting depression, it’s one of the most reliable tools out there.

And here’s what you should know: if you’ve ever taken a mental health screening at your doctor’s office, you’ve probably filled out the PHQ-9 without realizing it. It’s not hidden — it’s just quiet. You’re not being judged. You’re not being labeled. You’re being checked. Just like your blood pressure or cholesterol. It’s part of whole-person care. If your score is high, your provider might ask about your sleep, your stress, your meds, or whether you’ve had thoughts of hurting yourself. That’s not scary — it’s necessary.

There’s no shame in a high PHQ-9 score. In fact, it’s the first step to feeling better. Many people think depression means crying all day, but it can also mean just feeling empty, numb, or too tired to get out of bed. The PHQ-9 catches those quieter forms too. It doesn’t care if you’re high-achieving or stay-at-home, rich or struggling. It only cares about how you’ve felt lately.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides on how depression connects to other health issues — from blood thinners that affect mood, to how chronic pain and sleep problems can mimic or worsen symptoms. You’ll see how people track their mental health alongside their physical meds, how to talk to providers about it, and what to do if your symptoms don’t improve. These aren’t theoretical articles. They’re written by people who’ve been there — and they’re here to help you move forward, one question at a time.