Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Test

The Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9 is a tool used to assess the presence and severity of symptoms related to depression. It consists of 9 questions that ask about common symptoms of depression, such as feelings of sadness or hopelessness, changes in appetite, and difficulty sleeping. The answers to these questions are used to determine the severity of depression symptoms, with higher scores indicating a greater likelihood of depression. The PHQ-9 can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for depression, as scores can be tracked over time to measure improvement or worsening of symptoms. Overall, the PHQ-9 is a useful tool for individuals and healthcare providers to assess and monitor depression symptoms.

The PHQ-9 is scored based on the frequency and severity of the symptoms reported by the individual. Each question is assigned a score between 0 and 3, with 0 indicating that the symptom is not present and 3 indicating that the symptom is present nearly every day. The scores for each question are then added up to determine the overall score, which ranges from 0 to 27.

The scores are then used to determine the severity of depression, with higher scores indicating a greater likelihood of depression:

• 0-4: Minimal depression
• 5-9: Mild depression
• 10-14: Moderate depression
• 15-19: Moderately severe depression
• 20-27: Severe depression.

The PHQ-9 can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for depression, as scores can be tracked over time to measure improvement or worsening of symptoms.

The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) should be used in the following situations:

• Screening for depression: The PHQ-9 is a quick and reliable screening tool for depression, and can be used in primary care settings or as part of routine health assessments.
• Diagnosis of depression: The PHQ-9 can help healthcare providers diagnose depression based on the presence and severity of symptoms.
• Monitoring treatment: The PHQ-9 can be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for depression. It can be administered at regular intervals to track the improvement or worsening of symptoms.
• Assessing the severity of depression: The scores obtained from the PHQ-9 can be used to determine the severity of depression, which can inform treatment decisions.
• Self-assessment: The PHQ-9 can also be used by individuals as a self-assessment tool to gain insights into their own mental health and well-being.

It is important to note that the PHQ-9 should not be used as the sole diagnostic tool for depression, but rather as a supplement to a full clinical evaluation. A healthcare provider should also be consulted for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.