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PHQ-2 Depression Screener
The PHQ-2 (Patient Health Questionnaire-2) is a two-question screen for depression that asks about loss of interest and low mood over the past two weeks. These are the first two questions of the PHQ-9 and the two core symptoms of depression.
It takes under a minute, which makes it a common first step in primary care and intake paperwork. Your answers are scored in your browser. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.
Before you start: this is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Whatever number you get, it belongs in a conversation with a professional who knows you.
Completely private: everything runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent or stored anywhere.
Clear everything you’ve answered?
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
Your score
One of your answers matters on its own, whatever the total: the question about thoughts of death or of hurting yourself. The support lines above are for you, and it’s worth mentioning that answer specifically to whoever you share this with.
A score is a snapshot, not a verdict on you. Whatever the number, the most useful next step is the same: share it with a professional who can help you make sense of it.
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How to take the PHQ-2
- Think about the past two weeks.
- Answer both questions by choosing how often each problem has bothered you.
- Read your score from 0 to 6.
- If your score is 3 or higher, take the full PHQ-9 and talk with a health professional.
What the PHQ-2 measures
The two items ask how often you have had little interest or pleasure in doing things, and how often you have felt down, depressed, or hopeless. At least one of these is required for a diagnosis of major depression, which is why they work as a quick first-pass screen.
How the PHQ-2 is scored
Each item is rated 0 (not at all), 1 (several days), 2 (more than half the days), or 3 (nearly every day), for a total from 0 to 6.
A score of 3 or higher is a positive screen. The next step is the full PHQ-9, which covers all nine depression symptoms, gives a severity band, and includes a question about thoughts of self-harm.
What your score means
A score below 3 means these two core symptoms have not been frequent lately. A score of 3 or more means it is worth taking the full PHQ-9 and talking with a health professional.
The PHQ-2 does not ask about thoughts of death or self-harm. If you are having those thoughts, please reach out now, whatever your score. In the US you can call or text 988.
Limits of a screening test
Two questions cannot capture the whole picture. A low PHQ-2 score does not rule out depression if other symptoms are troubling you, and a positive score is not a diagnosis. It only means a fuller assessment is warranted.
Using the PHQ-2 in your practice
The PHQ-2 suits universal screening at intake or annual visits, where a short form keeps completion rates high. Treat a score of 3 or more as a positive screen and follow it with the full PHQ-9. The PHQ-2 is not designed for tracking severity during treatment; use the PHQ-9 for that.
Document the score, whether the screen was positive, and the follow-up given. CPT 96127 is commonly used for brief standardized screening instruments, though coverage varies by payer. Because the PHQ-2 omits the self-harm item, ask about suicidal thoughts directly when clinical judgment calls for it.
Common questions
What is the PHQ-2 cutoff score?
The PHQ-2 is scored 0 to 6, with each of its two items rated 0 to 3. A score of 3 or higher is a positive screen for depression. A positive result is not a diagnosis. It means the person should complete the full PHQ-9 and, ideally, talk with a clinician.
Should I take the PHQ-2 or the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-2 is a quick first check using the first two PHQ-9 questions. The PHQ-9 is longer, gives a severity band, and asks about thoughts of self-harm. If you already have concerns about depression, or your PHQ-2 score is 3 or more, the PHQ-9 gives a more complete picture.
Is the PHQ-2 a diagnosis of depression?
No. The PHQ-2 is a two-question screen. A positive result means a fuller assessment is warranted, and a negative result does not rule out depression if other symptoms are present. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose depression after a proper evaluation.
Is the PHQ-2 free to use?
Yes. The PHQ-2 comes from the PHQ-9, developed by Drs. Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams, Kurt Kroenke, and colleagues with an educational grant from Pfizer. No permission is required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute it, and there is no license fee.
How often should the PHQ-2 be given?
The PHQ-2 is mainly used for routine screening, such as at intake, at annual visits, or when a new concern comes up. It asks about the past two weeks. Once someone screens positive or is in treatment for depression, the full PHQ-9 is the better tool for repeated measurement.
Often given alongside
This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. If your score worries you, or if you didn't need a questionnaire to tell you something is wrong, please talk to a professional. In the U.S., call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), around the clock.
Developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute.
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