What depression can feel like
Depression is more than a bad week. It can mean losing interest in things you usually enjoy, feeling flat or hopeless, sleeping too much or too little, feeling exhausted, and being hard on yourself, for weeks at a time.
It's one of the most common health conditions in the world, and one of the most treatable.
About this self-check
The nine questions are the PHQ-9, the depression screener doctors use most. It measures how much depression symptoms have bothered you over the last two weeks. One question asks about thoughts of death or self-harm, because it's important not to miss them.
Your answers stay in your browser. Saycalm doesn't see or store them, and only sends them anywhere if you ask us to email you your results.
The questions
Each one asks how often you've been bothered by it over the last 2 weeks, from "Not at all" to "Nearly every day".
- Little interest or pleasure in doing things
- Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
- Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
- Feeling tired or having little energy
- Poor appetite or overeating
- Feeling bad about yourself, or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
- Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
- Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed, or the opposite: being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual
- Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way
Common questions
Does a high score mean I have depression?
Not on its own. A score of 10 or more is where clinicians usually take a closer look. A diagnosis comes from a clinician, who will ask how long this has lasted and rule out other causes, like thyroid problems or medication side effects.
What if I answered yes to the question about hurting myself?
Please talk to someone soon. If you're having those thoughts right now, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time, for free. If you're in immediate danger, call 911.
What helps with depression?
Therapy, medication, or a combination help most people. Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy have strong evidence. Sleep, movement, daylight, and staying connected with people also help recovery.
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). 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. Used for screening only; not a diagnosis.
