Depression Severity Assessment Calculator
Calculates a PHQ-5 style depression severity score by summing ratings for mood, sleep, energy, appetite, and concentration. Use it as a quick self-screen to track symptoms week-to-week or prepare for a GP appointment.
About this calculator
This calculator adapts the structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), a clinically validated depression screening tool. The formula sums five symptom scores: Total = mood_score + sleep_score + energy_score + appetite_score + concentration_score. Each item is rated on a 0–3 scale (0 = not at all, 1 = several days, 2 = more than half the days, 3 = nearly every day), matching PHQ scoring conventions. The maximum score is 15 (5 items × 3). Score bands typically map as follows: 0–4 minimal, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15 severe. These five items represent the most reliable and frequently endorsed depressive symptoms in clinical populations. The full PHQ-9 includes four additional items (the complete tool should be used for clinical screening). Scores should always be interpreted by a qualified health professional alongside a clinical interview.
How to use
Suppose over the past two weeks you rate: mood_score = 2 (more than half the days), sleep_score = 3 (nearly every day), energy_score = 3, appetite_score = 1 (several days), concentration_score = 2. Step 1: parse each to integer — 2, 3, 3, 1, 2. Step 2: Total = 2 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 11. A score of 11 falls in the moderate range (10–14), indicating that depressive symptoms are present most days across multiple domains. This result would typically prompt a GP or mental health professional to conduct a full PHQ-9 assessment and clinical interview.
Frequently asked questions
What do the PHQ depression score ranges mean in practice?
The five-item version used here produces scores from 0 to 15. A score of 0–4 suggests minimal or no depressive symptoms and typically requires no immediate action beyond continued self-monitoring. Scores of 5–9 indicate mild depression — watchful waiting, lifestyle changes, and self-help resources are usually recommended. Scores of 10–14 represent moderate depression, where a clinician will commonly consider therapy referral and sometimes pharmacotherapy. A score of 15 indicates severe depression and warrants prompt professional assessment. These ranges parallel the validated PHQ-9 cut-offs scaled for five items and should always be reviewed in context by a healthcare provider.
How is this depression calculator different from the full PHQ-9 questionnaire?
The full PHQ-9 contains nine items and covers all nine DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Episode, including psychomotor changes, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal ideation. This calculator uses five of those items — mood, sleep, energy, appetite, and concentration — which are the most consistently endorsed across diverse populations and provide a reliable severity signal. The five-item version is not a substitute for the complete PHQ-9 in clinical settings; it is designed as a quick self-screen or tracking tool. If your score is moderate or above, completing a full PHQ-9 with a clinician is strongly recommended.
How often should I use this depression severity calculator to track my symptoms?
For personal tracking, weekly assessments provide enough data to detect meaningful trends without creating excessive health rumination. Most clinical trials and therapy protocols use weekly PHQ measures to gauge treatment response — typically looking for a 5-point or 50% reduction in score as a meaningful improvement threshold. Daily scoring can be useful during acute episodes or medication adjustment phases but should be done with professional guidance to avoid over-interpreting normal day-to-day fluctuations. Keep a simple log of date and score to share with your doctor or therapist; a consistent downward trend over 4–8 weeks is a positive treatment signal.