Depression screening: what to expect
A depression screening is a short set of questions about your mood, sleep, energy and interest in things over the last 2 weeks, often on a form such as the PHQ-9. There is no needle and nothing to prepare. A score is not a diagnosis: a positive screen leads to a longer talk with your provider. Your doctor decides what it means for you. (MedlinePlus, 2026) (Kroenke et al., 2001) (USPSTF, 2023)
If you are struggling or thinking about suicide: in the US, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time, day or night. The 988 Lifeline says conversations are free and confidential. (988 Lifeline)
Who is screened
- Adults, including pregnant and postpartum people and adults 65 and older: the USPSTF recommends depression screening (grade B, 2023). (USPSTF, 2023)
- Teens 12 to 18: screening for major depressive disorder, grade B (2022). For children 11 and younger, the evidence is insufficient (I statement). (USPSTF, 2022)
- Suicide risk: the USPSTF found the evidence insufficient to weigh screening for suicide risk in adults and in children and teens. (USPSTF, 2023) (USPSTF, 2022)
There is no set interval. The USPSTF suggests screening adults who have not been screened before, then using clinical judgment about screening again. (USPSTF, 2023) Full details by age: depression screening and mental health screenings by age.
What happens during the screening
You answer questions about your feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Your provider may ask them out loud or give you a short form to fill out. MedlinePlus says you will generally be asked about: (MedlinePlus, 2026)
- changes in mood, sleep, energy, appetite or weight
- stress and concentration
- any medicines you take and any recent life changes
- alcohol and drug use
- your personal and family history of depression and other mental health conditions
No lab test can diagnose depression, but your provider may order a blood test to see whether another condition, such as anemia or thyroid disease, could be causing symptoms. You usually do not need to prepare for either. There is no risk in answering the questions. (MedlinePlus, 2026)
Other questionnaires are also used: the USPSTF names the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Geriatric Depression Scale for older adults and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale during and after pregnancy. (USPSTF, 2023) For teens, the PHQ-9 is the most common, and a version adapted for adolescents (PHQ-A) has been studied. (USPSTF, 2022)
The PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 questions
The PHQ-9 asks how often, over the last 2 weeks, you have been bothered by 9 problems. Each answer scores from 0 ("not at all") to 3 ("nearly every day"), so the total runs from 0 to 27. (Kroenke et al., 2001) The problems include little interest or pleasure in doing things, feeling down or hopeless, sleep, tiredness, appetite, feeling bad about yourself, trouble concentrating, moving or speaking slowly or being restless, and thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself. (Kroenke et al., 2001) The USPSTF notes that some depression questionnaires, such as the PHQ-9, include a question on suicidal thoughts. (USPSTF, 2023)
The PHQ-2 is the first 2 questions of the PHQ-9, about low mood and loss of interest. It scores 0 to 6 and can be used as a first step to pick out who should fill in the full PHQ-9. (Levis et al., 2020)
How scores are read
The PHQ-9 authors use these ranges for how severe symptoms are: (Kroenke et al., 2001)
| PHQ-9 score | Severity |
|---|---|
| 0 to 4 | Minimal or none (Kroenke et al., 2001) |
| 5 to 9 | Mild (Kroenke et al., 2001) |
| 10 to 14 | Moderate (Kroenke et al., 2001) |
| 15 to 19 | Moderately severe (Kroenke et al., 2001) |
| 20 to 27 | Severe (Kroenke et al., 2001) |
- PHQ-9 of 10 or more is the standard cutoff for a positive screen. In the evidence the USPSTF reviewed, it picked out 85% of people with major depression and correctly cleared 85% of people without it. (USPSTF, 2023) The authors note that scores under 10 seldom occur in major depression, while 15 or more usually means it is present. (Kroenke et al., 2001)
- PHQ-2 of 2 or more is the standard cutoff. It catches more people with major depression (91%) but flags more people who do not have it, which is why a PHQ-9 usually follows. (USPSTF, 2023) (Levis et al., 2020)
Whatever the score, a questionnaire does not diagnose depression. Before a diagnosis, the PHQ-9 authors expect the clinician to rule out physical causes, normal grief and a history of mania. (Kroenke et al., 2001) MedlinePlus says your results, along with your symptoms, help your provider decide whether you may have depression and how severe it is. (MedlinePlus, 2026)
What happens after a positive screen
The USPSTF says everyone who screens positive should have a further assessment to confirm the diagnosis, find out how severe the symptoms are and look for other mental health problems, and, if appropriate, be offered or referred for evidence-based care. (USPSTF, 2023) If you see a mental health provider, they may ask more detailed questions or give you another questionnaire. (MedlinePlus, 2026) Your doctor decides the next step with you. This page does not give treatment advice. See also after an abnormal screening result.
If you are not ready to talk about some answers, you can say so, and you can ask your provider who will see your results.
Anxiety screening, in brief
The USPSTF recommends screening adults 64 and younger for anxiety disorders, including pregnant and postpartum people (grade B, 2023); for adults 65 and older the evidence is insufficient. The most studied questionnaires are the GAD-2 and GAD-7. In the studies it reviewed, a GAD-7 of 10 or more picked out 79% of people with generalized anxiety disorder, and lower cutoffs of 8 or 9 caught more. (USPSTF, 2023) As with depression, a score is a first step, not a diagnosis. More: anxiety screening and GAD-7 questions and scores.
Cost and coverage
Medicare Part B covers one depression screening a year. It must take place in a primary care setting, such as a doctor's office, where you can get follow-up treatment or referrals. You pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (Medicare.gov) For private plans, see preventive screenings covered by insurance.
Questions people ask
What questions are on a depression screening?
Most use a short questionnaire such as the PHQ-9. It asks how often over the last 2 weeks you have been bothered by 9 problems, such as little interest or pleasure in doing things, feeling down, sleep, energy, appetite, concentration and thoughts of self-harm. Each is answered from "not at all" to "nearly every day". (Kroenke et al., 2001) (MedlinePlus, 2026)
What does a PHQ-9 score of 10 mean?
The PHQ-9 authors set 10 to 14 as the moderate range, and 10 or more is the usual cutoff for a positive screen. It is not a diagnosis. A provider follows up with more questions to find out whether you have depression and how severe it is. (Kroenke et al., 2001) (USPSTF, 2023)
Is a depression screening a diagnosis?
No. The USPSTF says every positive screening result should lead to a further assessment to confirm the diagnosis, find out how severe symptoms are and look for other problems. MedlinePlus says no lab test can diagnose depression. (USPSTF, 2023) (MedlinePlus, 2026)
Do I need to prepare for a depression screening?
Usually not. MedlinePlus says no special preparation is needed for a depression screening or for a blood test your provider may order to look for other causes, such as anemia or thyroid disease. (MedlinePlus, 2026)
Does Medicare cover depression screening?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers one depression screening a year in a primary care setting, such as a doctor's office, where you can get follow-up care or referrals. You pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (Medicare.gov)