medtests.de · Depression
Depression Test
This self-test uses the PHQ-9, a short, globally established questionnaire about depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. It can't diagnose you, but it can give you an honest read on how much you're carrying right now and whether talking to a professional makes sense.
Patient Health Questionnaire-9
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
What does the PHQ-9 measure?
The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire) is the international standard for assessing depressive symptoms. Its nine questions map directly onto the core criteria of a depressive episode: loss of interest, low mood, sleep, energy, appetite, self-worth, concentration, psychomotor changes, and thoughts of death or self-harm, each rated by how often it occurred over the past two weeks. Totals run from 0 to 27. From 10 upward, symptoms count as clinically relevant, with bands for mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe.
What does the result mean?
The PHQ-9 is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. An elevated score doesn't automatically mean you have depression; the same symptoms can come from grief, burnout, physical illness, or just a hard stretch of life. What the score does give you is words, and a concrete reason to talk to your doctor or a therapist, where the full picture can be sorted out properly. Depression is treatable, and taking a clear first step usually feels better than circling the question alone.
If things feel heavy right now
If dark thoughts are weighing on you or you feel like you can't go on, please don't carry that alone. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). In the UK, Samaritans are at 116 123. In Germany, TelefonSeelsorge is free and anonymous at 0800 111 0 111. If you're in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.
Source
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW. The PHQ-9: Validity of a Brief Depression Severity Measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2001. Developed by Pfizer, free to use.