In short
A depression test is a self-assessment questionnaire that shows how severe your symptoms are, but it does not make a diagnosis. The most reliable tools are validated scales: the PHQ-9, the HADS and the Beck Depression Inventory. If you score 10 or more on the PHQ-9, 11 or more on the HADS depression subscale, or your symptoms have lasted more than two weeks and are interfering with your life, you need to see a psychiatrist. If you answer yes to any question about thoughts of death, see a doctor regardless of your total score, and if you intend to harm yourself, call 103 or 112 immediately.
Key points in one minute
- Depression tests are a screening tool: they help spot a problem, but only a doctor can make a final diagnosis.
- Only validated scales are reliable: the PHQ-9, HADS and Beck Depression Inventory. Entertainment “quizzes” from social media are not suitable.
- The PHQ-9 assesses symptoms over the past two weeks, and a score of 10 or higher is a reason to consult a psychiatrist.
- Even with a low total score, any positive answer about thoughts of death means you should see a specialist.
- It is useful to repeat the test during treatment: changes in the score help the doctor assess how well therapy is working.
What a Depression Test Shows — and What It Can’t
Standardized questionnaires are designed to assess the severity of symptoms quickly and consistently. They ask about mood, interest, sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, feelings of guilt and thoughts of death — that is, about the signs included in the criteria for a depressive episode in ICD-10, ICD-11 and DSM-5. The total score makes it possible to assign the condition to a certain level of severity and decide whether further assessment is needed.
A test cannot distinguish depression from other conditions with similar symptoms: hypothyroidism, anemia, side effects of medications, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder or prolonged grief. It does not take your life circumstances into account and cannot see what a doctor notices during a conversation. So a high score is a reason to see a psychiatrist, not to start treating yourself. Likewise, a low score when you feel unwell is no reason to skip a consultation.
Which Depression Tests Are Considered Reliable
The reliability of a questionnaire is determined by validation — checking that it really measures depression and gives comparable results across different groups of people. These are the scales doctors use, including in primary care. The internet is full of “tests” with no stated source, with joke questions or results like “you are a sad kitten” — they are not suitable for assessing your health.
PHQ-9
The nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire, in which each question corresponds to one criterion for a depressive episode. It rates how often symptoms occurred over the past two weeks, from “not at all” to “nearly every day.” The total score ranges from 0 to 27. Accepted cut-offs: 5–9 — mild, 10–14 — moderate, 15–19 — moderately severe, 20 and above — severe. The ninth question asks about thoughts of death and self-harm.
HADS
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale consists of two subscales of seven questions each. It was designed for people with physical illnesses, so it does not rely on bodily symptoms that could be caused by the illness itself. For each subscale: 0–7 — normal, 8–10 — borderline (subclinical), 11 and above — clinically significant symptoms. It is convenient when anxiety and depression need to be assessed at the same time.
Beck Depression Inventory
A 21-item questionnaire in which each item describes the severity of a particular symptom. It is more detailed than the PHQ-9 and covers cognitive features such as pessimism, self-criticism and a sense of failure. It is used to assess severity and track changes over time. Interpreting the scores requires knowledge of the original cut-offs, so it is best to discuss the results with a doctor.
| Scale | What it assesses | When it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| PHQ-9 | 9 criteria for depression over two weeks | Quick screening and monitoring of treatment |
| HADS | Anxiety and depression on separate subscales | In physical illness and with mixed symptoms |
| Beck Depression Inventory | 21 symptoms, including cognitive ones | Detailed assessment of severity and progress |
| PHQ-2 | Two key questions: mood and interest | The quickest initial screening |
| Entertainment quizzes from social media | Not validated | Not suitable for assessing health |
How to Take a Depression Test Correctly
For the result to be informative, follow a few rules. Answer about the past two weeks, not about today or your life in general. Choose the option that reflects how often a symptom occurs, not whether you have ever had it. Don’t try to guess the “right” answer and don’t paint a rosier picture: the test is only useful if you are honest. Complete the questionnaire in a calm setting, when no one is rushing you or looking over your shoulder.
Save the result and the date. If you are planning a consultation, show it to the doctor: a completed scale saves time and helps focus the conversation. Repeating the test more often than once every one or two weeks usually makes no sense: the scales are designed to assess lasting changes. During treatment, regular repetition helps you see progress that is hard to notice from the inside.
How to Take a Depression Test and Use the Result
- Choose a validated scaleUse the PHQ-9, HADS or Beck Depression Inventory from a reliable source, not entertainment quizzes with no named authors.
- Answer about the past two weeksRate how often each symptom occurred during exactly this period, not your mood today or your life in general.
- Be honestDon’t exaggerate or downplay: the result is useful only if it reflects your real condition.
- Add up your score and note the dateSave the result so you can show it to the doctor and compare it with a repeat test in one to two weeks.
- Pay attention to the question about deathAny positive answer about thoughts of death or self-harm is a reason to see a doctor regardless of the total score.
- Book a consultationIf your score is moderate or high, or your symptoms have lasted more than two weeks, see a psychiatrist.
How to Interpret Your Test Result
The result is a guide, not a verdict or a certificate of health. A low score suggests that you probably don’t have pronounced symptoms of depression at the moment, but it does not rule out other problems — an anxiety disorder, burnout or insomnia. A borderline score means it is worth keeping an eye on yourself, looking after your sleep and workload, and repeating the test in two weeks; if the symptoms persist, see a doctor.
A moderate or high score indicates that a psychiatric consultation is needed. The higher the score, the less sense it makes to put it off. Pay particular attention to the questions about thoughts of death. If you noted that you have such thoughts on at least several days, that is a reason to talk to a doctor soon, even if your total score is low. If you intend or plan to harm yourself, call 103 or 112 right now.
- Low score and feeling well — prevention: sleep, physical activity, social contact
- Low score, but you feel bad — it is still worth discussing your condition with a doctor
- Borderline score — monitor yourself for two weeks and repeat the test
- Moderate score — schedule a consultation with a psychiatrist
- High score — see a doctor within the next few days
- Any thoughts of death — get a consultation without delay
- Intention to harm yourself — call 103 or 112 immediately
How Depression Differs from a Bad Mood
A bad mood is a normal reaction to setbacks. It is linked to a specific situation, fluctuates during the day and lifts when circumstances change or you manage to distract yourself. A person keeps the ability to enjoy good things and generally copes with daily tasks. Depression is different in its persistence and depth: low mood lasts most of the day nearly every day for at least two weeks, and interest and pleasure disappear even in things that used to bring joy.
Other signs join in: sleep disturbances, especially waking early, changes in appetite, lack of energy, slowness or restlessness, difficulty concentrating, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, and thoughts of death. A person may keep going to work, but everything takes enormous effort. This condition is a medical problem, not a weakness of character, and it responds well to treatment.
What to Do After the Test
If the result points to moderate or severe depression, book a consultation with a psychiatrist. The doctor will clarify the diagnosis, rule out physical causes and propose a plan — psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both. The online format is convenient if it is hard to find the energy to travel: at Psychiatry Online, you can talk to a psychiatrist from home, including anonymously, and bring your test results with you.
While you are waiting for the consultation, support yourself with simple measures: keep a regular sleep schedule, go outside even briefly, eat regularly, don’t isolate yourself, and tell someone close to you how you are feeling. Avoid alcohol — it worsens depression and disrupts sleep. Don’t make important decisions when your symptoms are at their worst, and don’t start taking antidepressants without a doctor’s prescription.
When to see a doctor
- You scored 10 or more on the PHQ-9 or 11 or more on the HADS depression subscale
- Low mood and loss of interest have lasted more than two weeks, regardless of your score
- You noted that you at least sometimes think about death or self-harm
- A repeat test after two weeks shows a worse or equally high score
- Because of your condition, you can no longer cope with work, study or household tasks
- You have started drinking alcohol or taking sleeping pills more often to cope with your mood
When urgent help is needed
If while taking the test you realized that you are thinking about suicide and have an intention or a plan, don’t stay alone. Call 103 or 112; children and young people can call the 150 helpline. Tell someone close to you that you need help. Depression is treatable, and this state is temporary, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.
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Questions and answers
Can I diagnose myself with depression using an online test?
No. A test helps you assess the severity of your symptoms and understand whether a consultation is needed, but a doctor makes the diagnosis after talking to you. Similar symptoms occur with thyroid disorders, anemia, side effects of medications, bipolar disorder and other conditions. Only a doctor can tell them apart and select the right treatment.
Which depression test is the most accurate?
There is no single “most accurate” test. The PHQ-9 is widely used for screening: it is short and matches the criteria for a depressive episode. The HADS is convenient for people with physical illnesses and assesses anxiety at the same time. The Beck Depression Inventory gives a more detailed picture. The key is to choose validated questionnaires, not entertainment quizzes.
What if the test shows depression but I feel fine?
You may have become used to your condition and see it as normal, or you may have answered about a different period. Repeat the test in a week, carefully answering about the past two weeks. If the result stays the same, discuss it with a doctor: sometimes depression shows up not as sadness but as fatigue, irritability or physical complaints.
How often can I take a depression test?
For self-monitoring, once every one to two weeks is enough: the scales are designed to assess lasting changes over the past two weeks. During treatment, the doctor may ask you to fill in the questionnaire before each consultation to track progress. Taking it daily usually provides no useful information and can increase anxiety.
Can I show my test results to a doctor at Psychiatry Online?
Yes, and it is actually helpful. Before an online consultation, you can send or show the scale results together with the date you completed it. The doctor will take them into account when assessing your condition and may ask you to repeat the questionnaire during treatment to track changes objectively. The diagnosis, however, is based on the clinical interview, not only on the scores.
Can you have depression without feeling sad?
Yes. Sometimes the main features are apathy, loss of pleasure, irritability, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances and physical complaints — headaches, back pain, digestive problems. Such forms are hard to recognize on your own and often go unnoticed. If a test shows a moderate score without obvious sadness, that is still a reason for a consultation.
Is a depression test suitable for teenagers?
There are versions of the scales adapted for teenagers, such as the modified PHQ-9 (PHQ-A). However, in teenagers depression often shows up as irritability, falling grades and withdrawal, and self-assessment can be inaccurate. If you are worried about your child’s state, it is better to see a child or adolescent psychiatrist. If there are thoughts of death, call the 150 helpline.
Sources and methodology
- Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
- Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
- ICD-11, World Health Organization
- DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association
- NICE guideline NG222: Depression in adults
- WHO Guidance for Media Professionals on Preventing Suicide
This article was prepared by the Psychiatry Online medical editorial team and reviewed by a doctor. It is for reference only and does not replace a specialist consultation. Editorial policy
Reviewed by
Assel Omarova, MDPsychiatrist and addiction specialistAddiction combined with depression and anxiety, crisis states, online consultations for families.
