Scoring the PHQ-9 modified for Teens
Scoring the PHQ-9 modified for teens is easy but involves thinking about
several different aspects of depression.
To use the PHQ-9 as a diagnostic aid for Major Depressive Disorder:
• Questions 1 and/or 2 need to be endorsed as a “2” or “3”
• Need five or more positive symptoms (positive is defined by a “2” or
“3” in questions 1-8 and by a “1”, “2”, or “3” in question 9).
• The functional impairment question (How difficult….) needs to be
rated at least as “somewhat difficult.”
To use the PHQ-9 to screen for all types of depression or other mental
illness:
• All positive answers (positive is defined by a “2” or “3” in questions 1-8
and by a “1”, “2”, or “3” in question 9) should be followed up by
interview.
• A total PHQ-9 score > 10 (see below for instructions on how to obtain
a total score) has a good sensitivity and specificity for MDD.
To use the PHQ-9 to aid in the diagnosis of dysthymia:
• The dysthymia question (In the past year…) should be endorsed as
“yes.”
To use the PHQ-9 to screen for suicide risk:
• All positive answers to question 9 as well as the two additional suicide
items MUST be followed up by a clinical interview.
To use the PHQ-9 to obtain a total score and assess depressive severity:
• Add up the numbers endorsed for questions 1-9 and obtain a total
score.
• See Table below:
Total Score Depression Severity
0-4 No or Minimal depression
5-9 Mild depression
10-14 Moderate depression
15-19 Moderately severe depression
20-27 Severe depression