PHQ-9 score meaning — how to read your depression result

The PHQ-9 is one of the most widely used depression screeners in the world. It asks about nine symptom areas over the past two weeks and gives a severity estimate.

Scores 5–9 usually suggest mild symptoms, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 moderately severe and 20–27 severe. But context matters: duration, functioning, medical illness, grief, substance use and safety risk all change interpretation.

If your score is mild, start with sleep, movement, routine and support. If moderate or higher, book a clinical conversation. Bring the score to the session. If item 9, about self-harm or being better off dead, is non-zero, treat it separately and seek help promptly.

Do not use a low score to dismiss suffering if you know you are not okay. Do not use a high score to diagnose yourself permanently. Use it to get the right level of help faster.