Mood & Depression · 1 min · 2 questions
PHQ-2: Patient Health Questionnaire-2
Two questions about the last two weeks. About 1 minute. A quick first-step depression screen.
Medical disclaimer: this is a validated screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic test. Only a qualified health professional can diagnose a condition. Your answers are processed in your browser and are never sent or stored.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?
PHQ-2 result
Answer all 2 questions for a complete result. Current partial score shown.
Your responses suggest depression is unlikely at this time.
Recommended next steps
- No further action typically needed.
- Re-screen if your mood changes or daily life is affected.
Answer the remaining questions to enable the report:
- PHQ-2:
Screening result only, not a diagnosis. Share it with a doctor or therapist.
PHQ-2 scoring guide
| Score | Interpretation | Suggested action |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | Negative screen | No further action typically needed. |
| 3–6 | Positive screen | Complete the full PHQ-9 for a detailed severity score. |
Clinical background
What it measures
The PHQ-2 consists of the first two items of the PHQ-9 — loss of interest and depressed mood — rated over the past two weeks. It is used as a first-step screen in busy clinical settings.
Validity
At a cut-point of 3, the PHQ-2 showed 83% sensitivity and 92% specificity for major depression (Kroenke et al., 2003). A positive screen should always be followed by the full PHQ-9 or a clinical interview.
Reference: Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW. The Patient Health Questionnaire-2: validity of a two-item depression screener. Med Care. 2003;41(11):1284–1292. Public domain.