PHQ-2 Depression Screening Calculator

The Patient Health Questionnaire-2, or PHQ-2, is a brief screening instrument for the two core symptoms of depression: loss of interest or pleasure and feeling down, depressed, or hopeless. It asks how often each symptom was present during the previous two weeks. Each answer receives zero to three points, producing a total from zero to six. The questionnaire is designed to identify people who may need a more complete assessment, not to establish a diagnosis. Responses are scored as zero for not at all, one for several days, two for more than half the days, and three for nearly every day. A total of three or more is commonly used as a positive screening threshold. Different services may choose another cutoff based on population and follow-up resources. A higher total suggests a greater likelihood of a depressive disorder, but severity, duration, functional impairment, medical causes, substance effects, bereavement, bipolar symptoms, and safety concerns all require separate evaluation. A result below three does not prove that depression is absent. People may underreport symptoms, experience other depressive features, or have substantial distress despite a lower frequency score. Conversely, a positive screen is not proof of major depressive disorder. Clinicians commonly follow it with the PHQ-9, an interview, review of functioning, medical history, medicine and substance use, and assessment for other mental-health conditions. Answer for the full two-week period rather than only today. If symptoms fluctuate, choose the response that best represents their overall frequency. Repeat screening can help monitor change when performed consistently, but treatment decisions should not be based on a score alone. Support may include talking therapies, social and practical interventions, medication, treatment of contributing medical conditions, or a combination tailored to the person. Safety matters independently of the numeric total. Thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide are not directly asked in the PHQ-2. Anyone who feels unable to stay safe should contact local emergency services or a crisis line immediately and seek support from a trusted person. Persistent low mood, loss of interest, sleep or appetite changes, guilt, concentration problems, or reduced functioning also warrant professional help even when this screen is negative.