Here are some FAQs and additional information
on Depression screening by a nine item Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ 9 in adults
What is a PHQ-9 depression screening?
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ 9) is a self-administered instrument used for diagnosing various mental disorders. PHQ 9 is the depression module of PHQ with 9 items, considered a short scale with accurate detection of depression and assessment of its severity, which guides further treatment decisions.
How do you calculate PHQ-9?
The PHQ 9 score is calculated by assigning 0,1,2,3 for the respective responses starting from “not at all” to “nearly every day,” then adding them together for all the 9 items. Usually, the PHQ 9 score ranges from 0 - 27. The PHQ 9 score's interpretation is based on the cut-of value; the scores are divided into 4 cut points, like 5,10,15, and 20.
When do you use PHQ-9?
Depressive disorders are characterized by a gradual loss of interest in everything; this is one of the most important symptoms. A test instrument like PHQ 9 comes to the rescue at this point; it assesses the major symptoms of depression. That scoring will help you diagnose the severity of depression, and it also helps in the case of measuring the response to treatment.
What is the highest possible PHQ-9 score?
The highest possible score on the PHQ-9 is 27.