Depression assessment tools are used to screen for symptoms of depression and to measure its severity.
One of the most commonly used tools is the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Below is a sample of the PHQ-9 for educational purposes:
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Patient Information
- Nom:
- Date:
- Age:
- Gender:
- Examiner:
Instructions
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems? (Use “â” to indicate your answer)
| Symptom | Not at all (0) | Several days (1) | More than half the days (2) | Nearly every day (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things. | ||||
| 2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless. | ||||
| 3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much. | ||||
| 4. Feeling tired or having little energy. | ||||
| 5. Poor appetite or overeating. | ||||
| 6. Feeling bad about yourself â or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down. | ||||
| 7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television. | ||||
| 8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite â being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual. | ||||
| 9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or thoughts of hurting yourself in some way. |
Scoring
- Total Score: ____ / 27
Interpretation
- 0-4: Minimal depression
- 5-9: Mild depression
- 10-14: Moderate depression
- 15-19: Moderately severe depression
- 20-27: Severe depression
Additional Screening
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
Comments and Recommendations
- Observation Summary:
- Recommended Interventions:
- Consider a referral to a mental health professional.
- Discuss treatment options, such as counseling or medication.
- Schedule follow-up appointments to monitor symptoms.
Note: This assessment tool is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers for accurate assessments and appropriate care plans.
The PHQ-9 is a validated tool that helps in the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of depression severity, facilitating timely and appropriate intervention.