Am I depressed?
If your mood, energy, or interest in life has changed, a brief screening can help you start a conversation about what you’re experiencing.
Recognizing the signs
Depression can affect your feelings, thinking, and daily activities. Symptoms may include:
- Low mood, hopelessness, or loss of interest in activities.
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy.
- Difficulty concentrating, guilt, or feeling worthless.
- Restlessness, irritability, or feeling slowed down.
Symptoms occurring much of the time for at least two weeks warrant an evaluation, especially if they interfere with your life. You can seek help sooner; you do not need to wait two weeks or reach a particular score.
What is the PHQ-9?
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 asks how often you have experienced nine depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. Each response is scored from 0 to 3, giving a total from 0 to 27. Clinicians use it to screen for symptoms and follow changes over time.
A screening is a starting point, not a diagnosis. Your score cannot confirm depression or determine whether you qualify for TMS. A clinician reviews your symptoms, history, daily functioning, and other possible causes.
Understanding your score
These ranges describe symptom severity on the questionnaire, rather than a confirmed diagnosis:
| Total score | Symptom range |
|---|---|
| 0–4 | None to minimal |
| 5–9 | Mild |
| 10–14 | Moderate |
| 15–19 | Moderately severe |
| 20–27 | Severe |
A score of 10 or higher is a reason to discuss your symptoms with a qualified clinician. Lower scores do not rule out a need for help. Any response to the question about thoughts of death or self-harm needs further assessment, regardless of the total score.
Could TMS be an option?
TMS may be considered when depression has not improved enough with previous treatment. Dr. Drell reviews your diagnosis, medications and psychotherapy, medical history, and safety screening. Insurance requirements are assessed separately. A high PHQ-9 score alone does not establish TMS eligibility.
If you need help now
If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, seek help now rather than waiting for an online form response. In the United States, call 988 or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
This questionnaire and the practice’s website are not emergency services.
Take the PHQ-9 assessment
Use the practice’s existing questionnaire below. Please read its instructions before entering personal information. Completed forms are handled through the practice’s separate form service.
The form is not monitored for emergencies. If it does not display, open the questionnaire directly ↗, or open the printable PHQ-9 PDF ↗.
What comes next?
Bring your results to your treating clinician. To discuss TMS with Houston West TMS, call our office or request a consultation. You can ask for help even if you have not completed the questionnaire.
Educational information only. Diagnosis and treatment decisions require a clinical evaluation.