Why take the test
Depression and anxiety disorders are often mistaken for tiredness, laziness or “just a rough patch”. People live for months with low mood, poor sleep and constant worry without realizing it can and should be treated. A short questionnaire helps you look at how you are doing from the outside and decide whether it is time to see a professional.
How the test works
The test has two parts. The first is the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire): nine questions about the main signs of depression — mood, interest in things, sleep, appetite, energy, self-esteem and concentration. The second is the GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder): seven questions about anxiety and worry. A final question asks how much these problems get in the way of your life.
For each question, answer how often it has bothered you over the last two weeks: not at all, several days, more than half the days or nearly every day.
How to read the result
| PHQ-9 score | Depression signs | GAD-7 score | Anxiety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal | 0–4 | Minimal |
| 5–9 | Mild | 5–9 | Mild |
| 10–14 | Moderate | 10–14 | Moderate |
| 15–19 | Moderately severe | 15–21 | Severe |
| 20–27 | Severe |
Cut-offs follow the scale authors (Kroenke, 2001; Spitzer, 2006). With 10 points or more on either scale, it is worth seeing a doctor or psychotherapist. These conditions respond well to treatment — and the sooner, the easier.
About the questionnaires
The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission is required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute them. We use the original wording without changes.