🧠 Depression Screening by PHQ-2 Calculator
A quick, validated two-question screening tool for depression. The PHQ-2 helps identify individuals who may benefit from further evaluation for depressive disorders.
Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?
📊 PHQ-2 Results
What Is Depression?
Depression is more than just feeling sad — it is a clinical condition that involves persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and irritability, along with cognitive and physical changes that significantly affect daily functioning.
According to DSM-5, there are several types of depressive disorders. The most common characteristics include changes in mood, energy, sleep, appetite, and concentration. Medical conditions associated with depressive mood include:
- Hypothyroidism
- Addison's and Cushing's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Brain tumors
- Cancer
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
Major Depressive Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the most common form, where individuals experience the following symptoms for two or more weeks:
- Frequent feelings of sadness
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities (anhedonia)
- Significant weight changes or appetite changes
- Sleep difficulties (insomnia or hypersomnia)
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
- Loss of energy and fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Suicidal ideation
Why Screen for Depression?
Depression affects an estimated 1 in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year, and 1 in 6 people (16.6%) will experience depression at some point in their life. Globally, depression is responsible for more years lost to disability than any other disease — approximately 350 million people are affected worldwide.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends periodic screening for depression. The PHQ-2 is an excellent first-step screening tool.
About the PHQ-2 Calculator
The PHQ-2 (Patient Health Questionnaire-2) is a validated depression screening tool first published in the journal Medical Care. It uses only two questions to assess risk:
- Little interest or pleasure in doing things
- Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
Each question is scored 0–3, giving a total score of 0–6. The score represents the likelihood ratio (LR) — the patient's specific risk compared to the general population.
PHQ-2 Scoring Table
| PHQ-2 Score | MDD PPV | MDD LR | Any Depression PPV | Any Depression LR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15.4% | 0.3 | 36.9% | 0.6 |
| 2 | 21.1% | 0.6 | 48.3% | 1.3 |
| 3 | 38.4% | 2.9 | 75.0% | 5.4 |
| 4 | 45.4% | 5.5 | 81.2% | 15.7 |
| 5 | 56.4% | 10.3 | 84.6% | 17.9 |
| 6 | 78.6% | 48.2 | 92.9% | 58.1 |
A score of 3 or more indicates that you should consult a clinical psychologist.
Example
Imagine someone who has lost interest in activities for several days (Q1 = 1) and has been feeling down nearly every day (Q2 = 3). Their PHQ-2 score would be 4. This gives:
- Major depression likelihood ratio: 5.5× the general population
- Any depression likelihood ratio: 15.7× the general population
This strongly suggests the individual should seek professional evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a depression screening test?
Depression screening tests help detect the potential risk for depression. Common tools include PHQ-2, PHQ-9 (a more detailed version), and the Geriatric Depression Scale for older adults.
What causes major depression?
Risk factors include stress, social withdrawal, loss of a loved one, chronic physical pain, alcohol/drug use, and personality traits like low self-esteem. Biological factors like genetics and brain chemistry also play a role.
Is depression treatable?
Yes! Depression is highly treatable. Treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), counseling, antidepressant medications, lifestyle changes (exercise, sleep hygiene, mindfulness), and social support.
How do I overcome depression?
Beyond professional help: improve sleep hygiene, eat healthily, exercise, practice mindfulness, surround yourself with supportive people, develop a feasible daily routine, and engage in positive self-talk.