National Institute of Mental Health, Depression, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression#part_2259 Journal of General Internal Medicine, The PHQ-9, Kurt Kroenke, MD, Robert L Spitzer, MD, and Janet B W Williams, DSW, Sept. 2001, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1495268/ apa.org, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), https://www.apa.org/depression-guideline/patient-health-questionnaire.pdf

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Same-day mental health, weight loss, and primary care appointments available

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based on 0 reviews

Free online depression test

Q: Who is this depression test for?

This test is for anyone 18 years of age or older who’s struggling with symptoms of depression, such as: – A persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood. – Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism. – Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness. – Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness. – Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities. And who wants to know more about the cause of their symptoms and whether or not they may be tied to major depressive disorder (MDD), another type of depression, or another mental health condition.

Q: How to use this depression test

This test is a simple self-screening tool. Simply select an answer for each question based on your symptoms over the last 2 weeks. Choose the answer that most accurately reflects your symptoms for that timeframe. When you’ve answered each question, select “Get my results.” Your results will give you a score and an unofficial idea as to whether you may or may not have a type of clinical depression and want to talk to a professional. Know that your results aren’t a substitute or a requirement for seeking medical help. Only a trained medical provider can make a diagnosis of depression or another mental health condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. If you want professional advice, a diagnosis, or have been diagnosed, find a depression provider for an online or in-person visit. You can often see a provider on Klarity Health in as little as 24 hours.*

Q: What are the 3 major symptoms of depression?

The 3 core symptoms of depression are depressed mood, diminished interest in activities, and low energy. Depressed mood means persistently feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or tearful even after positive things happen in your life. Reduced interest in activities is also called anhedonia. It’s characterized by significantly reduced motivation to participate in your normal hobbies, social activities, work/school, and other things that you used to enjoy. Low energy involves fatigue and tiredness nearly every day. You may feel like your energy has been sucked out of you and find it hard to start or complete even minor activities. Other symptoms can include guilt and worthlessness, trouble concentrating, appetite and sleep changes, irritability or anger, body aches, suicidal thoughts, and slowed speech and movements. While anyone can experience these symptoms, it’s the combination, frequency, and intensity of symptoms that determine a diagnosis of depression and its severity.

Q: What are the 4 levels of depression?

The main levels (or severities) of depression are mild, moderate, severe, and very severe. Mild depression involves symptoms that are minor but that interfere with your daily life and make work, school, and relationships more difficult than ususal. Moderate depression is characterized by more intense symptoms. You may have a loss of interest in activities, increased anxiety and irritability, and trouble sleeping or concentrating. Daily tasks can be pretty difficult. Severe depression involves symptoms that are severe and make it virtually impossible to function normally. You may feel despair and lose your sense of self-worth. Your ability to manage work, school, and your relationships suffers a lot. And you may have significant sleep troubles and appetite changes. Very severe depression happens when your symptoms are extremely intense. You may experience psychosis, delusions, hallucinations, and be unable to care for yourself. You can have suicidal thoughts and behaviors and may need to be hospitalized for your seafey and treatment. A provider will assess the severity of your symptoms based on their number, type, and intensity and how much they affect your ability to function.

Q: How is depression diagnosed?

A diagnosis of depression is made after a psychiatric evaluation and talking about your symptoms with a qualified medical professional. Sometimes your provider will also ask for a physical exam and/or lab tests to rule out a physical condition that could be causing your symptoms. In your evaluation, your provider will ask questions about your symptoms, such as if you’ve had a prolonged feeling of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, or worthlessness and if you’ve had low energy, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, changes in appetite, and/or suicidal thoughts. They’ll ask you how much your symptoms impact your daily life and activities. They may ask about your personal and family history of depression and other mental health conditions. They’ll evaluate the duration and severity of symptoms and how much they interfere with daily life. They may use standardized questionnaires, like the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 used for the test here or the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess and score the severity of your symptoms. Based on their evaluation, training, expertise, and the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association, your provider will decide if you meet the criteria for a depressive disorder and the best next steps.

Q: What to do if I’m diagnosed with depression?

If your provider diagnoses you with depression, they’ll work with you on a treatment plan. Your play may include antidepressants and other medications, psychotherapy, or both. An antidepressant can help manage symptoms by balancing the chemical messengers in your brain responsible for mood. Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help you process events or trauma contributing to your depression and help you develop coping skills. A combination of medication and therapy is the best approach for most people suffering from depression.

Q: How was this depression test created?

The questions used for this test are from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 is a standard self-report questionnaire used to screen for depression and its severity. It itself is based on scoring of the 9 criteria for depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) . The DSM is the standard manual used by practitioners to diagnose mental health disorders. The PHQ-9 is regarded as a reliable and valid measure of the existence and the severity of depression.

A persistent depressed mood, loss of interest in your everyday activities, and feeling drained are all symptoms of depression. But do you have the blues or are you clinically depressed and needing treatment? Take this quick self-assessment to get an idea and see if maybe you want to get a diagnosis.

This test is not a replacement for a diagnosis of clinical depression from a qualified medical professional and should not be taken as medical advice.

Talk to an experienced depression specialist

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Why choose a provider on Klarity Health?

Online depression assessment in as little as 24 hours*

from a licensed, board-certified healthcare professional.

Depression medication prescribed online

or off with treatment tailored to you.**

Therapy for depression

online or in person, and that’s affordable and supportive.**

**Your provider will discuss treatment options with you, which may or may not include medication and/or therapy. If both therapy and medication are recommended, you’ll see a different provider for each service.

FAQs about depression and this test

Who is this depression test for?

How to use this depression test

What are the 3 major symptoms of depression?

What are the 4 levels of depression?

How is depression diagnosed?

What to do if I’m diagnosed with depression?

How was this depression test created?

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*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Controlled substances, like Xanax, and others, may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage.

If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.

All professional services are provided by independent private practices via the Klarity technology platform. Klarity Health, Inc. does not provide medical services.

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