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How have you been feeling lately?
Nine questions about your mood, sleep, and energy over the past two weeks.
Explore the scientific backgroundYour test answers are not sent or saved. Reloading or leaving the page clears them. Optional email signup is separate.
What the science says
Nine questions studied as a measure of depressive symptoms over the past two weeks.
The research
Kroenke, Spitzer, and Williams studied the PHQ-9 in 6,000 patients attending primary care and obstetrics-gynecology clinics. A subset had an independent clinical interview.
What the test explores
How often nine depressive symptoms occur. The score helps assess symptom severity alongside a clinical evaluation.
The version offered
Nine items from the unchanged “English for the UK” and “French for Belgium” forms distributed by ECFS. The additional daily impact question does not change the score. Reading aids are separate additions.
What to keep in mind. A score alone cannot confirm or rule out depression. Context, daily impact, and an assessment of the person’s safety matter.
Explore the research
- Kroenke, Spitzer & Williams · 2001 · Journal of General Internal MedicineThe PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure — opens in a new tab
- Authors’ manual · Scoring and terms of useInstructions for Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and GAD-7 Measures — opens in a new tab
The research cited concerns the instrument and the populations studied. It does not automatically validate every translation, this digital interface, or a future AI-enhanced analysis.
Sources and terms of use
Questions, choices, and the daily impact question use the PHQ-9 forms distributed by ECFS: “English for the UK” and “French for Belgium.” The wording is unchanged; the English interface uses US English. Reading aids and support messages are separate editorial additions. The library’s “France” link incorrectly opens a GAD-7 and was not used.
- Original form (PDF) — opens in a new tab
- ECFS instrument library — opens in a new tab
- Original publication (2001) — opens in a new tab
- Authors’ manual: scoring and use (PDF) — opens in a new tab
Developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute.