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what is a high phq 9 score

by Jaron McClure Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Higher scores on the PHQ-15 are strongly associated with functional impairment, disability and health care use. The GAD-7 is a 7-question anxiety screening instrument developed in 2006. Like the PHQ-9, scores range from 0 to 27 with scores of 5, 10, and 15 indicating mild, moderate, and severe anxiety.

Scoring between 5-9 points indicates mild depression, 10-14 points indicates moderate depression, 15-19 points indicates moderately severe depression, and 20 or more points indicates severe depression. The higher your score, the more symptoms of depression you experience, and the more severe your depression is.Feb 9, 2021

Full Answer

What is the PHQ 9 Depression Scale?

‘Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a depression tool that can measure the presence and severity of the disorder accurately.’ Clinical depression, which affects 300 million individuals worldwide, is projected to increase.

How to interpret PHQ 9?

PHQ-9* Questionnaire for Depression Scoring and Interpretation Guide For physician use only Scoring: Count the number (#) of boxes checked in a column. Multiply that number by the value indicated below, then add the subtotal to produce a total score. The possible range is 0-27. Use the table below to interpret the PHQ-9 score.

What does PHQ 9 stand for?

What Does PHQ-9 Stand For? PHQ-9 stands for Patient Health Questionnaire. PHQ-9 Score . Your PHQ-9 score determines the severity of the depression according to the diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

What does PHQ 9 assess?

The PHQ-9 is a clinically-validated screening tool that healthcare providers use to screen for depression, and also to diagnose and monitor the severity of the condition. The PHQ-9 is similar to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), but where the EPDS is designed to screen pregnant and postpartum women for depression, anyone can take the PHQ-9 and receive actionable results.

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How do you interpret a PHQ-9 score?

PHQ-9 scoring1-4: This is considered minimal depression, which suggests that the respondent may not need depression treatment.5-9: This is considered mild depression. ... 10-14: This is considered moderate depression. ... 15-19: This is considered moderately severe depression. ... 20-27: This is considered severe depression.

What is a high score for depression?

InterpretationPHQ-9 ScoreDepression Severity5 – 9Mild10 – 14Moderate15 – 19Moderately Severe20 – 27Severe1 more row

What does a PHQ score of 15 mean?

Thus, the total PHQ-15 score ranges from 0 to 30 and scores of ≥5, ≥10, ≥15 represent mild, moderate and severe levels of somatization. The reliability and validity of the PHQ-15 are high in clinical and occupational health care settings [2,7,11].

What is the cut off for PHQ-9?

Regarding severity, PHQ-9 comprises five categories, where a cut-off point of 0–4 indicates no depressive symptoms, 5–9 mild depressive symptoms, 10–14 moderate depressive symptoms, 15–19 moderately-severe depressive symptoms, and 20–27 severe depressive symptoms [25].

What is a high anxiety score?

The total score ranges from 0–63. The following guidelines are recommended for the interpretation of scores: 0–9, normal or no anxiety; 10–18, mild to moderate anxiety; 19–29, moderate to severe anxiety; and 30–63, severe anxiety.

How do you know the severity of depression?

Symptoms of Melancholic Depressionpersistent feelings of extreme sadness for a long period of time.loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.having a lack of energy or feeling fatigued.feeling anxious or irritable.eating too much or too little.sleeping too much or too little.More items...

What is a normal depression score?

0 to 4 points:No depression5 to 9 points:Mild depression10 to 14 points:Moderate depression15 to 19 points:Moderately severe depression20 to 27 points:Severe depression

What does a score of 17 on the PHQ-9 indicate?

Table 2Major Depressive Disorder (N = 41)Other Depressive Disorder (N = 65)Level of Depression Severity, PHQ-9 Scoren (%)n (%)Moderate, 10–148 (19.5)17 (26.1)Moderately severe, 15–1914 (34.1)14 (21.5)Severe, 20–2714 (34.1)3 (4.6)2 more rows

What is a somatic symptom?

Somatic symptom disorder is diagnosed when a person has a significant focus on physical symptoms, such as pain, weakness or shortness of breath, to a level that results in major distress and/or problems functioning. The individual has excessive thoughts, feelings and behaviors relating to the physical symptoms.

How accurate is the PHQ-9?

PHQ-9 Diagnostic Algorithm Accuracy by Reference Standard Compared to semi-structured interviews, sensitivity and specificity were 0.57 (95% CI, 0.49–0.64) and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.94–0.97) for the original algorithm and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.54–0.68) and 0.95 (0.93–0.96) for the modified algorithm.

How reliable is the PHQ-9?

The diagnostic validity of the 9-item PHQ-9 was established in studies involving 8 primary care and 7 obstetrical clinics. PHQ-9 scores > 10 had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 88% for Major Depressive Disorder. Reliability and validity of the tool have indicated it has sound psychometric properties.

What does moderately depressed mean?

Moderately severe depression is generally marked by low mood and irritability most days as well as a loss of interest or enjoyment in activities that were previously pleasurable. Such symptoms may vary in intensity and duration in someone with moderate depression.

What are the 5 levels of depression?

Depression types include clinical depression, bipolar depression, dysthymia, seasonal affective disorder and others. Treatment options range from counseling to medications to brain stimulation and complementary therapies.

What is the depression number scale?

Classification of symptoms where more detail can be obtained can be expanded to: 0 - absent; 1 - mild; 2 - moderate; 3 - severe; 4 - incapacitating. In general the higher the total score the more severe the depression. HAM-D score level of depression: 10 - 13 mild; 14-17 mild to moderate; >17 moderate to severe.

What are the 3 levels of depression?

Depression can be described as mild, moderate or severe; melancholic or psychotic (see below).

What is the score for mild depression?

0–13: no depression. 14–19: mild depression. 20–28: moderate depression. 29–63: severe depression.

What is PHQ-9?

The PHQ-9 is one module of the Patient Health Questionnaire and includes nine short, simple questions. These questions were designed to help healthcare professionals identify signs or symptoms of depression. Though, you can also take it on your own .

How many questions are asked on the PHQ-9 test?

Possible answers include: not at all, several days, more than half the days, or nearly every day. The PHQ-9 test also includes a tenth question. It is answered if any of the previous nine questions reveal that depression may exist.

What does the complete PHQ ask about?

In addition to looking at depression, the complete PHQ asks about anxiety, alcohol use, and eating behaviors. 3  Patients' answers can help identify potential issues in these areas.

What is the score for depression?

Scoring between 15 and 19 suggests that there is possibly moderately severe major depression, and either antidepressants or psychotherapy would likely be appropriate.

What does a 20 score mean?

A score of 20 or higher indicates that severe major depression likely exists and a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy (therapeutic counseling) may be the best treatment approach. Scoring between 15 and 19 suggests that there is possibly moderately severe major depression, and either antidepressants or psychotherapy would ...

How long does it take to take the PHQ-9?

The PHQ-9 is also short and can be completed in just a couple of minutes. This free test has been shown to be effective in multiple settings and situations.

What is PHQ-9 used for?

PHQ-9 Uses. The PHQ-9 is a tool often used for regular depression screenings during primary care visits or checkups. 1  It may also be part of a more comprehensive assessment.

What is a PHQ-9?

Share The PHQ-9 is a multipurpose instrument for screening, diagnosing, monitoring and measuring the severity of depression.

What is question 9?

Note: Question 9 is a single screening question on suicide risk. A patient who answers yes to question 9 needs further assessment for suicide risk by an individual who is competent to assess this risk.

What is the PHQ 8?

Another questionnaire is the PHQ-8. This consists of all of the PHQ-9 questions with the exception of the final question, which asks about suicidal thoughts. The PHQ 8 is usually used in research settings and not with people with depression.

What is the purpose of the PHQ-9?

Purpose: The PHQ-9 is used to screen for depression, aid in diagnosis [1], and monitor change in symptoms over time. Target Population: Adolescents, adults, older adults. Languages: The PHQ-9 has been translated into over 30 languages and can be downloaded from the PHQ website: www.phqscreeners.com. Scoring and Interpreting:

How many questions are asked on the PHQ-15?

The PHQ-15 questionnaire has 15 questions. It includes questions about 15 symptoms relating to somatoform disorders. A person is asked to rate how certain symptoms have bothered them over the last 30 days. Question replies range from “not at all” (a score of 0) to “bothered a lot” (a score of 2). The higher the score given on the PHQ-15, the more the likelihood of functional impairment or disability.

What is the GAD-7 score?

Just like the PHQ-9 questionnaire, the GAD-7 gives a final score between 0 and 27. These will indicate mild, moderate, and severe anxiety. The GAD-7 is used to assess the severity of anxiety only without addressing depression. Just like the PHQ-9, there is a shortened version of the GAD-7, which is the GAD-2.

What is the PHQ-2 form?

There are several other questionnaires that can be used to decide if you may have depression. The PHQ-2 is an abridged form of the PHQ-9. It consists of just the first two questions of the PHQ-9. As such it will only take seconds to fill in.

Can a definitive diagnosis be made without a thorough history of the patient's depressive symptoms?

A definitive diagnosis should not be made without taking a thorough history of the patient’s depressive symptoms (as well as any Manic or Hypomanic Episodes) and contributing factors and considering all relevant differential diagnoses.

How many points does a PHQ-9 score mean?

A PHQ-9 score total of 0-4 points equals “normal” or minimal depression. Scoring between 5-9 points indicates mild depression, 10-14 points indicates moderate depression, 15-19 points indicates moderately severe depression, and 20 or more points indicates severe depression. The higher your score, the more symptoms of depression you experience, and the more severe your depression is.

What is a PHQ-9?

The PHQ-9 form is a brief, self-administered questionnaire that assesses depression symptoms. This shorter test is derived from the original and longer PHQ assessment that addresses multiple mental health concerns including depression, panic disorder, anxiety, sleep disorders, and others. The PHQ was derived from an assessment tool utilized by ...

How many questions are asked in the PHQ-9?

Your PHQ-9 score determines the severity of the depression according to the diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Once again, there are 9 questions in this assessment; 8 questions directly assessing symptoms of depression and 1 question that assesses how any depressive symptoms have been impacting your ability to function. For each question, there are 4 choices to choose from in regard to how often you have been experiencing symptoms:

What is the last question on the PHQ-9?

One of the last questions in the PHQ-9, and a criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, (“thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way”) counts if given any score other than a zero, regardless of the duration of the symptom. The final question, found at the end of the symptom assessment portion of the PHQ-9, asks about the test taker’s functionality: “How difficult have these problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?” In order to accurately diagnose and treat depression, taking into consideration how symptoms impact you, not merely symptoms alone, give a better understanding of the severity.

How many points do you need to score for depression?

Scoring between 5-9 points indicates mild depression, 10-14 points indicates moderate depression, 15-19 points indicates moderately severe depression, and 20 or more points indicates severe depression. The higher your score, the more symptoms of depression you experience, and the more severe your depression is.

What is the number 9 on the DSM?

Since this assessment only addresses depression, the number 9 in the title is a reference to the nine questions to assess each criterion of depression according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (or DSM). A self-administered test means that you can answer the questions and tally your result on your own, or by a health or mental healthcare professional. The PHQ-9 is commonly administered in doctor’s or therapist’s offices as a part of routine checkups, or as a way to monitor and evaluate your mental health.

Why is the PHQ-9 test used?

PHQ-9 Validity and Reliability. The PHQ-9 test is widely used because of its high validity and reliability. Validity studies showed that those who scored a 10 or higher on the PHQ-9 were between 7% and 13.6% more likely to be diagnosed with depression by a mental health professional.

How long does it take to complete the PHQ-9?

The results of the PHQ-9 may be used to make a depression diagnosis according to DSM-IV criteria and takes less than 3 minutes to complete.

What is the cut off point for anxiety?

Scores of 5, 10, and 15 are taken as the cut-off points for mild, moderate and severe anxiety, respectively. When used as a screening tool, further evaluation is recommended when the score is 10 or greater.

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Defining PHQ-9

How The Phq-9Works

  • PHQ-9 works by asking patients about their symptoms and how often they’ve experienced them over the past two weeks. The questions are designed to elicit information about the frequency and severity of symptoms. The test is then scored based on the answers given. The test is quick and easy to administer, and it can be done in a doctor’s office, over the phone, or online. PHQ-9 is a …
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Who Should Take It?

  • The PHQ-9is a screening tool that can be used by anyone who thinks they may be suffering from depression. However, it’s important to note that the test is not diagnostic and should not be used to make a diagnosis of depression. The PHQ- 9 is recommended for anyone who is experiencing symptoms of depression or who suspects they may be suffering from depression. If you are feeli…
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What Happens After Taking The Test?

  • After taking the PHQ-9, it’s important to discuss your results with a medical professional. If your score is five or higher on any one question, it indicates a possible case of depression and you should follow up with your doctor. They will formulate a suitable treatment plan for you on the basis of your condition’s severity.
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Some Other Diagnostic Tools For Depression

  • In addition to the PHQ- 9, there are other diagnostic tools that can assess for depression. These include: 1. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI): The BDI is a 21-question self-report depression scale that assesses the severity of symptoms over the past week. 2. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS): The HDRS is a 17-item assessment that is completed by a trained profes…
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Conclusion

  • If you think you may be suffering from depression, don’t hesitate to take the PHQ-Nine. It could be the first step in getting the help you need. And remember, you are not alone—millions of people suffer from depression each year, and there is help available. You just have to reach out and ask for it. If you are looking for a place to start with treatment or diagnosis for depression or any othe…
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1.PHQ-9: Patient Healthcare Questionnaire for Depression …

Url:https://www.verywellmind.com/phq-9-patient-healthcare-questionnaire-for-depression-4149685

21 hours ago  · The PHQ-9 was used as a self-administered, screening tool for assessment of the severity of depressive symptoms. The PHQ-9 total score ranges from 0 to 27 (scores of 5–9 are classified as mild depression; 10–14 as moderate depression; 15–19 as moderately severe depression; ≥ 20 as severe depression) [30].

2.Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) - HIV

Url:https://www.hiv.uw.edu/page/mental-health-screening/phq-9

31 hours ago The Spritzer scoring system defines a diagnosis of severe depression to require a score of 2 or higher on at least 1 of the first two questions (PHQ 2) and then a minimum score of 2 or higher …

3.Scoring for PHQ 9: Do You Have Depression? - London …

Url:https://jasondemant.com/scoring-for-phq-9-do-you-have-depression/

17 hours ago 5 rows · PHQ-9 score obtained by adding score for each question (total points) Interpretation: Total ...

4.Everything You Need to Know About the PHQ-9 Test

Url:https://neurospatms.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-phq-9-test/

25 hours ago Primary care providers frequently use the PHQ-9 to screen for depression in patients. PHQ-9 scoring. It is not a screening tool for depression, but it is used to monitor the severity of …

5.GAD-7 and PHQ-9 — Medi-Stats

Url:https://www.medi-stats.com/gad-7-phq-9

8 hours ago

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