Depression Screening Calculator
Screen for potential depression risk by rating your recent mood, energy, and sleep quality. Higher scores signal more symptoms and may indicate the need for professional evaluation.
About this calculator
This screening tool estimates depression symptom burden using three key indicators. The formula is: Score = (10 − mood_score) + (10 − energy_score) + (10 − sleep_score). Each inversion converts a self-rated well-being score (1–10) into a symptom score, where low well-being produces a high symptom contribution. For example, a mood score of 2 contributes 8 symptom points, while a mood score of 9 contributes only 1. The total score ranges from 0 (no symptoms; all inputs rated 10) to 27 (maximum symptoms; all inputs rated 1). Mood, energy, and sleep are three of the core diagnostic indicators used in clinical depression screening frameworks such as the PHQ-9. This calculator is an educational self-screening aid—it does not provide a clinical diagnosis and should not replace consultation with a licensed mental health professional.
How to use
Suppose you rate your Mood at 4, Energy at 3, and Sleep Quality at 5 over the past two weeks. Score = (10 − 4) + (10 − 3) + (10 − 5) = 6 + 7 + 5 = 18. A score of 18 out of a maximum 27 indicates a significant symptom burden across all three dimensions. Energy is the most affected (contributing 7 points). This level of scoring warrants a conversation with a healthcare provider or mental health professional for a thorough clinical evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
How is the depression screening score calculated and what do the numbers mean?
Each of the three inputs—mood, energy, and sleep—is subtracted from 10 to convert a wellness rating into a symptom severity score. The three symptom scores are then summed for a total ranging from 0 to 27. A score near 0 suggests minimal symptoms, while a score approaching 27 indicates severe symptom burden across all three domains. Mid-range scores (roughly 9–18) suggest moderate concern and merit monitoring or professional consultation. The calculator is a screening heuristic, not a diagnostic instrument.
What should I do if my depression screening score is high?
A high score—particularly above 15—suggests that mood, energy, and sleep are all significantly impaired, which warrants professional evaluation. Contact a primary care physician or mental health professional who can administer validated clinical tools such as the PHQ-9 or HAM-D. Do not use this calculator as a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please contact a crisis line such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline immediately.
Why are mood, energy, and sleep used as indicators in depression screening?
These three symptoms appear consistently across major clinical depression screening tools because they reflect disruptions in the core neurobiological systems affected by depression: affect regulation, motivation circuitry, and circadian rhythm. Persistent low mood is the hallmark criterion; fatigue and low energy reflect disruptions in dopaminergic reward pathways; and sleep disturbances—either insomnia or hypersomnia—are among the most common somatic complaints in depressive episodes. Together, these three dimensions provide a compact but meaningful window into depressive symptom load.