Depression Test (PHQ-8)

The 8-question PHQ-8, a widely used depression questionnaire, covering the past two weeks.

8 questions3 minFree to answer

Before you start

Answer based on how you usually are, not how you would like to be. There are no right or wrong answers.

This questionnaire is for self-reflection. It is not a diagnosis.

What it measures

Depression symptoms

About this test

The PHQ-8 is a short questionnaire for measuring depression symptoms, based on the PHQ-9 that doctors use. It leaves out the PHQ-9 question about thoughts of self-harm, which is the version researchers recommend when no clinician can follow up straight away. This page presents the original eight questions and the standard scoring.

What the research says

The PHQ-9 was developed at Indiana University and Columbia University, and the PHQ-8 was validated with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a sample of nearly 200,000 adults. A score of 10 or more is the standard point for current depression, and most people who score that high meet criteria for major depression. Physical illness, grief and some medications can also raise scores.

Research behind this test

Indiana University · Columbia University
Developed and validated the PHQ-9, the depression questionnaire used in clinics worldwide.
Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. W. (2001). The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606–613.
Indiana University · U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Showed that the PHQ-8, the PHQ-9 without its self-harm question, measures current depression well in the general population. Our depression test uses it word for word.
Kroenke, K., Strine, T. W., Spitzer, R. L., Williams, J. B. W., Berry, J. T., & Mokdad, A. H. (2009). The PHQ-8 as a measure of current depression in the general population. Journal of Affective Disorders, 114(1–3), 163–173.

These researchers and institutions are not affiliated with SelfAssessment.io and do not endorse it.

Questions about this test

What is the PHQ-8?

The Patient Health Questionnaire-8 measures how often depression symptoms have bothered you over the past two weeks. It is the PHQ-9 without the question about self-harm.

Can the PHQ-8 diagnose depression?

No. It measures symptoms, not causes. A diagnosis needs an assessment by a doctor or mental health professional, who will also rule out physical causes such as thyroid problems.

How is it scored?

Each answer scores from 0 (Not at all) to 3 (Nearly every day), for a total from 0 to 24. Scores of 5, 10 and 15 mark mild, moderate and moderately severe symptoms, and 20 or more is severe.