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PHQ-9 Modified for Adolescents

Welcome to the PHQ-9 Modified for Adolescents. This screening tool has been validated for teens aged 12-17. This 9-question test can help you understand if you might be experiencing symptoms of depression. Answering these questions will help you identify any mood-related concerns you might want to discuss with a trusted adult, doctor, or mental health professional.

How to Complete the PHQ-9 Modified for Adolescents

Take a moment to think about how you've been feeling during the past 7 days. For each question, pick the answer that best describes how often you've been bothered by each symptom:

  • Not at all
  • Several days
  • More than half the days
  • Nearly every day

This test asks about different aspects of mood and depression, such as feeling down or hopeless, having trouble with sleep or energy, and difficulties with concentration. Your answers will help identify if you might benefit from professional support or evaluation.

Once you're done with the questionnaire, you can click the "View Results" button at the bottom of the page to see your answers. If you're unsure about any of the questions, you can always take the test again later.

After you finish, you can share your results with your parent, doctor, or mental health professional to discuss any areas that might need attention.

For each symptom below, please indicate how often you have been bothered by it during the past 7 days:

1. Feeling down, depressed, irritable, or hopeless?
Not at all
Several Days
More than half the days
Nearly every day
Error: *This field is required.
2. Little interest or pleasure in doing things?
Not at all
Several Days
More than half the days
Nearly every day
Error: *This field is required.
3. Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much?
Not at all
Several Days
More than half the days
Nearly every day
Error: *This field is required.
4. Poor appetite, weight loss, or overeating?
Not at all
Several Days
More than half the days
Nearly every day
Error: *This field is required.
5. Feeling tired, or having little energy?
Not at all
Several Days
More than half the days
Nearly every day
Error: *This field is required.
6. Feeling bad about yourself—or feeling that you are a failure, or that you have let yourself or your family down?
Not at all
Several Days
More than half the days
Nearly every day
Error: *This field is required.
7. Trouble concentrating on things like school work, reading, or watching TV?
Not at all
Several Days
More than half the days
Nearly every day
Error: *This field is required.
8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite—being so fidgety or restless that you were moving around a lot more than usual?
Not at all
Several Days
More than half the days
Nearly every day
Error: *This field is required.
9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way?
Not at all
Several Days
More than half the days
Nearly every day
Error: *This field is required.

If you're thinking about hurting yourself, please reach out for help right now. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME to 741741 for Crisis Text Line. You can also talk to a trusted adult immediately. You don't have to go through this alone.

View Results
Score: 0

References

  • Measure Name: Severity Measure for Depression—Child Age 11–17 (adapted from PHQ-9 modified for Adolescents [PHQ-A])
  • Original Developers: Spitzer RL, Williams JBW, Kroenke K, et al., with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc.
  • Adolescent Adaptation: Johnson JG, Harris ES, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW. The Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents: Validation of an instrument for the assessment of mental disorders among adolescent primary care patients. J Adolescent Health 30:196–204, 2002.
  • Source: American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Severity Measure for Depression, Child Age 11-17 (adapted from PHQ-9 modified for Adolescents). Emerging Measures and Models, DSM-5. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/File Library/Psychiatrists/Practice/DSM/APA_DSM5_Severity-Measure-For-Depression-Child-Age-11-to-17.pdf
  • Rights: This measure is in the public domain and can be used without permission.
  • While the APA version indicates ages 11-17, this screening tool has been primarily validated for adolescents ages 12-17.

Please note: This mental health screening tool is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We recommend taking screenshots or printing your results to share with a doctor or healthcare provider. Mental Health Center Kids, LLC disclaims any liability, loss, or risk incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of these screens.