Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

Patient name:
Date:

A. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems? Not at all (0) Several days (1) More than half the days (2) Nearly every day (3)
Q1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
Q2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
Q3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
Q4. Feeling tired or having little energy
Q5. Poor appetite or overeating
Q6. Feeling bad about yourself or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
Q7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
Q8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or the opposite being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual
Q9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way

B. If you checked off any problems, how difficult have these problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?
Not difficult at all
Somewhat difficult
Very difficult
Extremely difficult

    *Immediate discussion required.  Refer to emergency resource as appropriate.
Assess degree of suicide risk and possible harm to self and others.		 Consider Safety Plan:

Instructions - How to Score the PHQ-9

Major depressive disorder is suggested if:

  • either Q1 or Q2 is positive, that is at least "more than half the days"
  • of the 9 items, 5 or more are checked as at least "more than half the days"

Other depressive syndrome is suggested if:

  • either item Q1 or Q2 is positive, that is at least "more than half the days"
  • of the 9 items, 2 to 4 are checked as at least "more than half the days"

Also, PHQ-9 scores can be used to plan and monitor treatment.   Interpret the score by using the guide below.


Score Provisional Dx   Rx Recommendations
  Dx Reference     Rx Reference
0 - 4 Remission or no depression   Rx may not be needed
5 - 9 Minimal symptoms   Support, educate to call if worse, return in 1 month
10 - 14 See Dx reference, consider DDx   See Rx reference, consider DDx
15 - 19 Major depression, moderately severe   Antidepressant OR psychotherapy
≥ 20 Major depression, severe   Antidepressant AND psychotherapy (especially if not improved on monotherapy); follow frequently

Subject:

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PHQ-9 eForm is licensed under a GPL.