This test is for teenagers aged 11 to 17. Nine questions show how much signs of depression have bothered you over the last two weeks. It is not a diagnosis: the score helps you and your parents decide whether it is time to talk to a doctor, a school psychologist or a therapist.
The PHQ-A is the PHQ-9 adapted for teenagers: it asks about low mood and irritability, loss of interest, sleep, appetite, energy, how you see yourself, concentration on schoolwork and thoughts of death or self-harm. Each answer scores 0 to 3, for a total of 0 to 27: 0 to 4 minimal, 5 to 9 mild, 10 to 14 moderate, 15 to 19 moderately severe, 20 to 27 severe. The paper form also has extra yes or no questions about suicidal thoughts and attempts; they are not part of the score and are not asked here. Any answer other than «Not At All» to question 9 shows where to get help right away.
This is not a diagnosis
The test shows how strong the signs are, not what causes them. In teenagers low mood often looks like irritability or tiredness. A doctor or therapist makes a diagnosis after talking with the teen and, usually, the parents.
What happens to your answers
Your score is calculated right in your browser. Your answers reach our server only if you ask for your result by email: we write the email and do not keep them.
Can a parent fill in the test for a teenager?
No. The questions are about the teen's own feelings, so the teen answers them. A parent can sit nearby, read the result together and help find a specialist.
What if the answer to question 9 is not «Not At All»?
Then the result shows phone numbers for help. Do not wait for the next check-up: talk today with a parent, another adult you trust or a doctor. If there is immediate danger, call emergency services.
Is there a version for adults?
Yes. From age 18, take the adult version of the same questionnaire: Depression test
Source: PHQ-A: Johnson J. G., Harris E. S., Spitzer R. L., Williams J. B. W., 2002, The Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents, Journal of Adolescent Health 30(3), 196-204, DOI 10.1016/S1054-139X(01)00333-0. Text: PHQ-9 modified for Adolescents (PHQ-A), GLAD-PC toolkit (2010); levels: GLAD-PC and APA DSM-5 Severity Measure for Depression, Child Age 11-17.
For therapists
Send scales to clients and watch the change in their card
The client takes the test from a link, no account needed. The result lands in their card and Sessio compares it with last time.
