Am I Depressed? Take a Free Depression Test & Understand Your Score
If you have not felt like yourself lately, you may be wondering, “Am I depressed?”
Maybe you feel sad, tired, numb, or less interested in things you normally enjoy. You may also be sleeping differently, having trouble focusing, or finding everyday tasks harder than usual.
This free depression test can help you look at some of those symptoms.
It uses the PHQ-9, a common depression screening tool.
The test cannot tell you for sure if you have depression. Only a qualified healthcare or mental health professional can diagnose depression.
But your answers can give you useful information about what you have been experiencing and whether talking with someone may be a good next step.
Take the Free Depression Test
The PHQ-9 asks nine questions about how you have felt during the past two weeks.
Choose the answer that best matches your experience.
For each question, select:
- Not at all — 0
- Several days — 1
- More than half the days — 2
- Nearly every day — 3
Your total score can range from 0 to 27.
A higher score means you reported more frequent depression symptoms. It does not mean that you definitely have depression.
PHQ-9 Questions
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
4. Feeling tired or having little energy
5. Poor appetite or overeating
6. Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite — being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual
9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way
If You Answered Yes to Question 9
If you chose anything other than “Not at all” for Question 9, please pay attention to that answer even if your total score is low.
Thoughts about death or self-harm deserve support.
If you are in the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If you believe you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
A positive answer to Question 9 does not automatically mean you are in immediate danger. A trained professional can ask more questions and help understand what kind of support you may need.
What Does My Depression Test Score Mean?
Your score shows how often you reported common depression symptoms during the last two weeks.
It is only one piece of information.
Your symptoms may also be affected by stress, grief, physical health problems, medications, sleep problems, alcohol or drug use, or another mental health condition.
Here is what the usual PHQ-9 score ranges mean.
Score 0–4: None or Minimal Symptoms
Your answers show few depression symptoms on this screening.
That does not mean you should ignore something that is bothering you.
If you do not feel like yourself, your daily life has changed, or a specific symptom worries you, you can still talk with a healthcare or mental health professional.
Symptoms can also change over time.
Score 5–9: Mild Symptoms
Your answers fall in the mild symptom range.
You may be dealing with some depression symptoms, even if they are not happening every day.
Pay attention to whether the symptoms:
- Continue for several weeks.
- Become more frequent.
- Get harder to manage.
- Affect sleep, work, relationships, or daily responsibilities.
“Mild” does not mean unimportant.
If the symptoms continue or concern you, consider talking with a qualified professional.
Score 10–14: Moderate Symptoms
Your answers fall in the moderate symptom range.
At this level, it may be helpful to talk with a healthcare or mental health professional.
Think about how your symptoms are affecting your life.
Are you having more trouble working, sleeping, caring for yourself, spending time with others, or doing things you normally enjoy?
A professional can help you understand what may be causing your symptoms and discuss possible next steps.
Learn more about depression treatment in Pennsylvania.
Score 15–19: Moderately Severe Symptoms
Your answers fall in the moderately severe symptom range.
This means you reported several depression symptoms happening often during the past two weeks.
Consider talking with a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.
They can look at more than your score. They may ask about your symptoms, health history, sleep, stress, substance use, safety, and how you are doing in everyday life.
Your score alone cannot tell you which treatment is right for you.
Learn more about depression therapy and support.
Score 20–27: Severe Symptoms
Your answers fall in the severe symptom range.
This is the highest PHQ-9 symptom range.
Consider reaching out to a healthcare or mental health professional for an assessment. They can help you better understand what is happening and what kind of support may be appropriate.
A high score does not automatically mean you are in immediate danger.
If you also reported thoughts about death or hurting yourself, follow the safety guidance above.
For non-emergency treatment questions, you can contact Kora Behavioral Health.
What Can a Depression Test Tell Me?
A depression screening can be useful, but it has limits.
A depression test can help you understand:
- Whether you are reporting common depression symptoms.
- How often those symptoms are happening.
- Whether your symptoms fall within a mild, moderate, or higher range.
- Whether talking with a professional may be worth considering.
A depression test cannot tell you:
- For sure that you have depression.
- Why you are feeling this way.
- Which treatment is right for you.
- Whether another condition is causing your symptoms.
- Your level of suicide risk based only on your total score.
Think of the test as a starting point, not a final answer.
Am I Depressed? Common Symptoms to Notice
Depression does not always look like constant sadness.
It can affect your mood, body, thoughts, energy, relationships, and daily routine.
Common depression symptoms may include:
- Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless.
- Losing interest in things you usually enjoy.
- Feeling tired or having very little energy.
- Sleeping too much or too little.
- Eating much more or less than usual.
- Having trouble focusing.
- Feeling worthless or very guilty.
- Moving much slower than usual.
- Feeling restless or unable to sit still.
- Thinking about death or hurting yourself.
Having one of these symptoms does not automatically mean you have depression.
What also matters is:
- How long the symptoms have lasted.
- How often they happen.
- Whether they are different from how you normally feel.
- How much they affect your daily life.
- Whether several symptoms are happening at the same time.
A depression test can show whether your answers match common depression symptoms. It cannot tell you exactly why you feel this way.
Depression vs. Other Signs of Mental Illness
Depression is not the only condition that can cause changes in mood, sleep, energy, or concentration.
Similar symptoms can happen with:
- Anxiety.
- Trauma.
- Bipolar disorder.
- Grief.
- Sleep problems.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Some physical health conditions.
- Side effects from certain medications.
Other signs of mental illness may include major changes in mood or behavior, pulling away from other people, trouble managing everyday responsibilities, ongoing fear or worry, or increased alcohol or drug use.
These signs do not prove that someone has a mental health disorder.
A professional assessment can help sort out what may be happening.
What People Often Get Wrong About Depression Tests
“A high score means I definitely have depression.”
Not necessarily.
A high score means you reported several symptoms that are common in depression.
A professional still needs to look at your symptoms, history, health, and daily functioning before making a diagnosis.
“A low score means nothing is wrong.”
Not always.
A depression screening only asks about certain symptoms during the last two weeks.
You may still be struggling with stress, anxiety, grief, another mental health concern, or a problem the PHQ-9 does not fully measure.
If you do not feel okay, you can ask for help no matter what your score says.
“I need a certain score before I can get help.”
No.
You do not need to “score high enough” before talking with someone.
If something is affecting your life or worrying you, that is enough reason to have a conversation with a professional.
Depression and Substance Use Can Overlap
Depression and alcohol or drug use can sometimes happen together.
Some people drink or use drugs because they are trying to cope with sadness, anxiety, sleep problems, painful memories, or feeling numb.
At the same time, alcohol and drugs can sometimes make mood symptoms worse or harder to understand.
When someone has both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder, healthcare professionals may call this a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis.
This does not mean that everyone with depression has a substance use problem.
But if your mood and your alcohol or drug use seem connected, it can help to talk about both during an assessment.
Kora Behavioral Health provides care for adults dealing with substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns.
When Should I Talk to Someone About Depression?
You do not need to wait until things become severe before asking for help.
Consider talking with a professional if:
- Your symptoms are not going away.
- Your symptoms are getting worse.
- Work or school is becoming harder.
- You are having trouble caring for yourself.
- Your sleep has changed a lot.
- You are pulling away from friends or family.
- You no longer enjoy things you normally enjoy.
- You are using alcohol or drugs to cope.
- Your usual ways of coping are no longer helping.
- You are worried about how you feel, even if your test score is low.
- You are having thoughts about death or self-harm.
You can also learn more about individual therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Mental Illness Awareness Week and National Depression Screening Day 2026
October includes two important mental health observances.
October 4–10, 2026
Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 8, 2026
National Depression Screening Day
The 2026 Mental Illness Awareness Week theme is “Turning Science Into Hope.”
Depression screening is one example of how research can give people useful information about their mental health.
A screening cannot give you a diagnosis. But it may help you recognize symptoms and decide whether you want to talk with someone.
You also do not need to wait for an awareness day to ask for support.
What Happens If I Decide to Get Help?
You may wonder what happens after you contact a mental health professional.
Usually, the first step is a conversation.
A professional may ask about:
- What you have been feeling.
- When your symptoms started.
- How often symptoms happen.
- How symptoms affect your daily life.
- Your physical and mental health history.
- Your sleep.
- Medications you take.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Previous mental health treatment.
- Stress in your life.
- People or resources that support you.
- Any concerns about your safety.
There is no single treatment that is right for everyone.
Recommendations depend on your symptoms, needs, health, history, preferences, and other factors.
Treatment may include therapy, medication, structured behavioral health programs, or a combination of approaches.
Individual results and treatment experiences vary.
Kora Behavioral Health offers depression and dual-diagnosis care, including structured treatment options for adults with mental health and substance use concerns.
Explore depression treatment options.
When Comparing Treatment Options, What Should I Look For?
If you are looking at treatment programs, you do not need to know all the medical terms.
A few simple questions can help.
Ask:
- Who will complete my assessment?
- Are the therapists and clinicians licensed or properly trained?
- Will the program look at my individual needs?
- Can the program help with both mental health and substance use if needed?
- What type of therapy is offered?
- How often will I attend treatment?
- What happens if I have a safety concern?
- Does the program accept my insurance?
- What costs might I be responsible for?
- What happens after the program ends?
A qualified professional can help you understand what level of care may fit your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Depression Tests
Can an online depression test tell me if I have depression?
No.
An online depression screening can show whether you are reporting symptoms often linked with depression.
It cannot diagnose you.
A healthcare or mental health professional can look at your symptoms, history, health, and daily functioning to decide whether depression or another condition may be involved.
What is the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 is a short depression screening tool with nine questions.
It asks how often you have experienced certain symptoms during the past two weeks.
Your answers create a score from 0 to 27.
The score can help show how many depression symptoms you reported and how often they are happening.
It does not replace a professional evaluation.
Is this depression screening free?
Yes.
You should be able to complete the test and see your score without paying or giving your contact information first.
Your result should not be hidden behind an email, phone number, or insurance form.
What if my score is low but I still don’t feel okay?
You can still ask for help.
A low depression score does not mean that everything is fine.
The PHQ-9 does not measure every mental health problem or every reason someone may be struggling.
Pay attention to how you feel and how well you are able to manage everyday life.
If you are concerned, consider speaking with a professional.
What if alcohol or drug use is part of what I’m dealing with?
Mental health and substance use can affect each other.
If you are using alcohol or drugs to cope with your emotions—or if your mood changes when you use substances—tell the professional completing your assessment.
Looking at both concerns together may provide a clearer picture.
Learn about dual diagnosis treatment.
What should I do if I’m thinking about hurting myself?
If you are in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If you are in immediate danger or need emergency medical help, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You can also read about warning signs of suicide.
Your Score Is Information—Not a Label
Your depression test score does not define you.
It is simply information about the symptoms you reported during the past two weeks.
What matters most is how you are feeling, how your daily life is being affected, whether your symptoms are continuing, and whether you feel safe.
If your result raised concerns—or confirmed something you were already worried about—talking with a qualified professional can help you understand what may be happening.
You do not need to figure everything out on your own before reaching out.
Explore Depression Treatment Options. Talk With the Kora Behavioral Health Team.