Free Depression Test: PHQ-9 Self-Assessment
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide, yet it often goes unrecognised for months or years. The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item) is one of the most widely used depression screening tools in clinical practice, trusted by GPs, psychiatrists, and researchers across the world. This free, evidence-based self-assessment takes under three minutes and gives you immediate, personalised results. No data is stored or transmitted.
Depression frequently co-occurs with other conditions. If you live with ADHD, a brain injury, MS, or another neurological condition, low mood can significantly worsen cognitive difficulties like memory, concentration, and motivation. Understanding where you stand is a practical first step. You may also want to try our free anxiety test (GAD-7), as anxiety and depression often appear together.
Take the PHQ-9 Depression Screening
PHQ-9 Depression Self-Assessment
Clinically validated screening tool · Takes 3 minutes
Instructions: For each question, consider how often you have been bothered by the following problems over the last two weeks.
Your answers are not stored or transmitted. Everything runs in your browser.
Minimal
Mild
Moderate
Mod. Severe
Severe
Supporting Your Mental Health Day to Day
Recallify helps reduce cognitive load through voice capture, smart reminders, and structured task management. When low mood makes everyday tasks feel overwhelming, having a reliable system to fall back on can make a real difference.
What Is the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 is a brief self-report questionnaire developed in 2001 by Drs Kurt Kroenke, Robert Spitzer, and Janet Williams, with funding from Pfizer. It consists of nine questions that map directly to the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the DSM-IV. Each question asks how frequently you have experienced a specific symptom over the past two weeks, scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). The total score ranges from 0 to 27.
The PHQ-9 was validated in a study of over 6,000 patients across primary care and obstetrics clinics. At a cut-off score of 10, it has a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 88% for identifying major depression. It is used both for initial screening and for tracking symptom severity over time.
Since 2010, Pfizer has made the PHQ-9 freely available without copyright restriction. No permission is required to reproduce or distribute it.
How Is the PHQ-9 Scored?
Each of the nine questions is scored 0 to 3, giving a maximum total of 27. The standard severity bands are: 0 to 4 (minimal or no depression), 5 to 9 (mild), 10 to 14 (moderate), 15 to 19 (moderately severe), and 20 to 27 (severe). A score of 10 or above is generally considered the threshold at which further clinical evaluation is recommended. The follow-up question about functional difficulty is not included in the numerical score but provides important context about how much low mood is affecting your daily life.
Question 9 asks about thoughts of self-harm. If you selected anything other than “not at all” for this question, please reach out to a professional or contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or text SHOUT to 85258, regardless of your total score.
Why Depression Screening Matters for Cognitive Health
Depression does not just affect mood. It directly impairs cognitive function, including concentration, working memory, processing speed, and the ability to plan and make decisions. For people already managing cognitive challenges from ADHD, a brain injury, MS, or age-related changes, untreated depression can make these difficulties substantially worse. Research suggests that up to 70% of people with depression report cognitive symptoms as their primary complaint. Recognising depression early means you can access effective support, whether through self-help strategies, talking therapies like CBT, medication, or a combination.
How Recallify Supports Low Mood and Cognitive Load
When depression saps your energy and motivation, even simple tasks like remembering appointments or following through on plans can feel overwhelming. Recallify is designed to reduce that burden. By capturing information through voice recordings, automatically extracting tasks, and providing structured reminders and daily planning, it acts as a reliable external system so you do not have to hold everything in your head. Many users find that offloading cognitive effort to an app they trust helps reduce the sense of being overwhelmed that often accompanies low mood.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this depression test a medical diagnosis?
No. The PHQ-9 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. It helps identify patterns of depressive symptoms and their severity. A formal diagnosis of depression or any other condition can only be made by a qualified healthcare professional after a comprehensive assessment.
How accurate is the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 has been extensively validated in clinical research. At the recommended cut-off of 10, it correctly identifies major depression in approximately 88% of cases (sensitivity) and correctly rules it out in about 88% of cases (specificity). It is one of the most widely used depression measures in primary care worldwide.
Can I take this test if I have ADHD or a brain injury?
Yes. The PHQ-9 is suitable for adults regardless of other conditions. Depression frequently co-occurs with ADHD, acquired brain injuries, MS, and other neurological conditions. If you have a pre-existing condition, sharing your results with the clinician who manages your care can be particularly helpful.
How often should I take the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 asks about the past two weeks, so taking it more frequently than fortnightly is unlikely to show meaningful change. It can be useful to repeat it periodically to track whether your symptoms are improving, staying stable, or worsening, especially if you are receiving treatment.
What should I do if my score is high?
A score of 10 or above suggests moderate to severe depression. We would encourage you to speak with your GP, who can discuss options including talking therapies (such as CBT), self-help programmes, medication, or referral to a mental health professional. The NHS talking therapies service allows self-referral in England without needing a GP appointment. If you are in crisis, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or text SHOUT to 85258.
Are my answers to the questionnaire stored?
No. This screening tool runs entirely in your browser. No answers or scores are stored, transmitted, or shared. You can take it as many times as you like with complete privacy.