Am I depressed?
Most people who ask themselves this question sit with it for a while before doing anything about it. A short screening can tell you whether what you are feeling lines up with clinical depression — or whether it is something else.
Important: The screenings on this page are evidence-based tools used by healthcare providers worldwide. They are not a diagnosis. They can help you understand your symptoms and decide whether to talk to a professional.
Common signs of depression
Depression is more than feeling sad. It is a persistent change in how you feel, think, and function that lasts for at least two weeks. You might recognize some of these experiences:
Loss of interest or pleasure
Activities you used to enjoy no longer feel appealing or rewarding
Persistent low mood
Feeling down, empty, or hopeless most of the day, nearly every day
Sleep changes
Sleeping too much, too little, or waking in the middle of the night
Fatigue and low energy
Feeling tired even after rest, everything feels like it takes extra effort
Appetite or weight changes
Eating significantly more or less than usual without intending to
Difficulty concentrating
Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Harsh self-criticism, feeling like a burden, or excessive guilt
Physical slowing or restlessness
Moving or speaking noticeably slower, or feeling agitated and unable to sit still
If several of these sound familiar and have been present for two weeks or more, a screening can help you understand where you stand.
Take a free, clinically validated screening
These are the same questionnaires doctors use in appointments. You fill them out here, get scored immediately, and nothing is shared unless you choose to share it.
PHQ-9
Nine questions that map directly to the DSM-5 criteria for major depression. This is what most doctors reach for first.
PHQ-2
Just two questions — interest and mood. Doctors often use this as a first pass. If it flags something, the PHQ-9 digs deeper.
DASS-21
Scores depression, anxiety, and stress separately. Useful when you are not sure which one you are dealing with — they overlap more than people think.
What to expect
Answer honestly
Each question asks about the past two weeks. Pick the answer that fits best, even if it feels uncomfortable. The screening only works if the answers are real.
See your score
You get a number and a severity range — minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, or severe. The page explains what your specific score means.
Do something with it
You can save your results, retake the screening later to see if things change, or bring the score to a doctor. A lot of people use it to start a conversation they have been putting off.
Related reading
What your PHQ-9 score actually means
A clear breakdown of score ranges, what each question measures, and what to do next.
How to track your mental health over time
Why periodic screening matters and how to use your results to monitor progress.
When to use DASS-21 vs. individual scales
Understand when a combined assessment gives you a clearer picture than a single-focus tool.
PHQ-9 vs. PHQ-2: which screening tool to use
When a quick two-question screen is enough and when you need the full nine questions.
Frequently asked questions
Find out in a few minutes
The PHQ-9 is nine questions about how you have been feeling over the past two weeks. You get a score and an explanation at the end. No account needed.
Take the PHQ-9