If you have not been feeling like yourself lately, you may be asking, “Am I depressed?”
Maybe you feel sad, tired, unmotivated, or disconnected from the things you usually enjoy. You may be sleeping differently, having trouble concentrating, or simply feeling like something is not right.
A depression test can help you look more closely at the symptoms you have been experiencing.
It is important to remember that an online screening cannot diagnose depression. Instead, it can help you better understand how you have been feeling and whether talking with a mental health professional may be helpful.
The screening below is based on the PHQ-9, a commonly used depression screening tool. It asks about symptoms you may have experienced during the past two weeks.
Take the Free Depression Test
The PHQ-9 includes nine questions about common symptoms of depression.
For each question, think about how often you have experienced the symptom during the past two weeks.
Choose the answer that fits you best:
- Not at all — 0 points
- Several days — 1 point
- More than half the days — 2 points
- Nearly every day — 3 points
The standardized PHQ-9 questions should be used exactly as written.
After completing the screening, you should immediately see:
- Your total score from 0–27
- Your general symptom range
- A simple explanation of your results
- Possible next steps
- A reminder that your score is not a diagnosis
You should not be required to provide an email address, phone number, or other personal information before seeing your results.
Important Safety Information
One of the PHQ-9 questions asks about thoughts of death or hurting yourself.
If you answer anything other than “Not at all” to this question, please take those feelings seriously.
Your screening score cannot tell whether you are in immediate danger.
If you are in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If you believe you are in immediate danger or need emergency medical care, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
The 988 Lifeline provides free and confidential crisis support by phone, text, and chat.
What Does My Depression Test Score Mean?
Your answers are added together to create a score between 0 and 27.
In general, a higher score means you reported experiencing depression-related symptoms more often during the past two weeks.
PHQ-9 Score Ranges
0–4: None or minimal symptoms
5–9: Mild symptoms
10–14: Moderate symptoms
15–19: Moderately severe symptoms
20–27: Severe symptoms
These ranges describe the symptoms you reported.
They do not mean that you have been diagnosed with depression.
For example, your results might say:
“Your answers fall within the moderate symptom range.”
They should not say:
“You have moderate depression.”
Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose depression.
A professional can also look at other things that may be affecting how you feel, including:
- Stress
- Grief
- Sleep problems
- Medical conditions
- Medications
- Trauma
- Alcohol or drug use
- Other mental health concerns
Two people can have the same depression screening score and still have very different experiences and needs.
If your symptoms are making daily life more difficult, you can learn more about depression treatment in Los Angeles at Westwind Recovery®.
CTA: Explore Depression Treatment
Am I Depressed? Common Symptoms to Notice
Depression does not feel the same for everyone.
Some people notice sadness first. Others may feel exhausted, irritated, disconnected, restless, or unable to enjoy things they once loved.
Common depression symptoms may include:
- Feeling sad, empty, or down
- Losing interest in activities you normally enjoy
- Feeling tired or having very little energy
- Sleeping much more or much less than usual
- Eating more or less than usual
- Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling worthless or very guilty
- Feeling unusually restless or slowed down
- Thinking about death, suicide, or hurting yourself
If you are asking yourself, “Am I depressed?”, your screening score is only one piece of the picture.
It can also help to think about whether your symptoms:
- Keep coming back
- Have lasted for a while
- Feel different from your usual mood
- Affect your work or school
- Affect your relationships
- Make everyday responsibilities harder
- Make it difficult to take care of yourself
If you notice these changes, speaking with a mental health professional may help you better understand what is happening.
What Depression Tests Can — and Cannot — Tell You
A common misunderstanding is that a depression test gives you a simple yes-or-no answer.
It does not.
A depression screening is simply a tool that helps you notice patterns in your symptoms.
It can help you decide whether it may be a good idea to talk with a professional.
A low score also does not mean that you should ignore how you feel.
No screening tool can understand everything happening in your life.
If you feel that something is wrong, you can still reach out for support, even if your score is low.
A high score does not automatically mean that you have depression either.
Many experiences and health conditions can cause similar symptoms, including:
- Grief
- Stress
- Trauma
- Sleep problems
- Medical conditions
- Certain medications
- Alcohol or drug use
- Other mental health conditions
Think of your depression score as helpful information — not a label.
Depression vs. Other Signs of Mental Illness
Some depression symptoms can also appear with other mental health or medical conditions.
These may include:
- Anxiety
- Trauma-related conditions
- Bipolar disorder
- Grief
- Sleep disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Certain physical health conditions
Other signs of mental illness can include:
- Major changes in mood
- Pulling away from friends or family
- Changes in eating or sleeping
- Difficulty keeping up with responsibilities
- Ongoing anxiety or fear
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Thoughts of self-harm
Because many symptoms overlap, an online screening cannot always explain why you feel the way you do.
A mental health professional can look at the bigger picture, including when your symptoms started, how often they happen, what was happening in your life at the time, and how much they are affecting your daily life.
Depression and Substance Use Can Happen Together
Mental health concerns and substance use sometimes happen at the same time.
Some people use alcohol or drugs to try to cope with:
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Trouble sleeping
- Trauma
- Emotional pain
Unfortunately, substance use can sometimes make mental health symptoms more difficult to manage.
It can also make it harder to understand what is causing certain feelings or behaviors.
Dual diagnosis means that a person is experiencing both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder.
When both are present, treatment may need to address both concerns at the same time.
Westwind Recovery® offers dual diagnosis treatment in Los Angeles for people experiencing mental health and substance use concerns together.
CTA: Learn About Dual Diagnosis Treatment
When Should I Talk to Someone About Depression?
You do not have to wait until things feel unbearable before asking for help.
Consider talking with a licensed mental health professional if:
- Your symptoms are continuing
- Your symptoms are getting harder to manage
- Work or school is becoming more difficult
- Your relationships are being affected
- You are avoiding friends or family
- Your sleeping or eating habits have changed
- You are using alcohol or drugs to cope
- The things that normally help you feel better are no longer helping
- You are worried about your mental health, even if your screening score is low
Most importantly:
You do not need a certain depression test score before asking for help.
How you feel matters.
Changes in your daily life, relationships, sleep, work, school, safety, and ability to cope are all important.
If you would like to learn more about support, explore Westwind Recovery®’s depression treatment options.
CTA: Explore Depression Treatment
Important Mental Health Dates — October 2026
Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 4–10, 2026
The 2026 theme is:
“Turning Science Into Hope.”
Mental Illness Awareness Week encourages greater understanding of mental health and reminds people that research, treatment, education, and personal support can make a meaningful difference.
National Depression Screening Day
Thursday, October 8, 2026
National Depression Screening Day is a reminder that checking in with your mental health can be just as important as checking in with your physical health.
A screening tool can help you recognize symptoms and give you information you can discuss with a health professional.
But you do not need to wait for a special awareness day to ask for help.
If you are struggling, support is available throughout the year.
What Happens If I Decide to Get Help?
Reaching out for help does not automatically mean you will need a certain type of treatment.
Usually, the first step is simply having a conversation.
A mental health professional may ask about:
- How you have been feeling
- When your symptoms started
- How often symptoms happen
- How symptoms affect your everyday life
- Your sleep
- Your eating habits
- Your physical and mental health history
- Medications you take
- Alcohol or drug use
- Previous mental health treatment
- Recent stress or major life changes
- Any concerns about your safety
This information helps your provider understand you as a whole person.
Treatment should never be based only on a depression score.
Westwind Recovery® offers behavioral health services in Los Angeles, including mental health treatment, PHP, IOP, outpatient care, telehealth IOP, and dual diagnosis services.
The right level of care depends on your individual needs and a professional assessment.
What Should I Look for in a Mental Health Treatment Program?
There is no single treatment program that works for everyone.
If you are exploring your options, consider asking:
- Will I receive an individual assessment?
- Who will provide my care?
- Are licensed mental health professionals involved?
- What levels of care are available?
- Can the program help with both mental health and substance use concerns?
- What types of therapy are offered?
- Is psychiatric or medication support available if needed?
- How does the program handle mental health emergencies?
- What happens when someone moves from one level of care to another?
- Does the program accept my insurance?
- What costs might I be responsible for?
A qualified professional can help you understand which type of support may be appropriate for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Depression Tests
Can a depression test tell me if I have depression?
No.
A depression test can help identify symptoms and show how often you have experienced them.
It cannot diagnose depression.
A qualified health professional looks at your symptoms, how long they have been happening, how they affect your life, your health history, and other possible causes before making a diagnosis.
What is the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 is a commonly used nine-question depression screening.
It asks how often you have experienced certain symptoms during the previous two weeks.
Each answer is given a score between 0 and 3.
Your answers are then added together for a total score between 0 and 27.
Is this depression screening free?
Yes.
The screening is available at no cost.
You should also be able to see your results immediately without providing your email address or phone number.
What if my score is low but I still don’t feel okay?
You can still ask for help.
A screening test cannot understand every feeling, situation, or challenge you may be experiencing.
A low score does not mean your feelings are unimportant.
If you are concerned about your mood, behavior, relationships, daily life, substance use, or overall well-being, consider talking with a mental health professional.
Can depression and substance use happen together?
Yes.
Depression and substance use disorders can occur at the same time.
Sometimes one can make the other more difficult to manage.
A professional assessment can help determine what may be happening and what type of support may be helpful.
Learn more about dual diagnosis treatment at Westwind Recovery®.
What should I do if I’m thinking about hurting myself?
If you are in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If you are in immediate danger or need emergency medical help, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
A depression screening should never be the only way to determine whether someone is in immediate danger.
Your Score Is Information-Not a Label
Your depression test score can give you useful information about how you have been feeling during the past two weeks.
But your score does not define you.
And it does not diagnose you.
Think about your results along with:
- How you have been feeling
- How long you have felt this way
- Whether symptoms are getting worse
- Whether everyday life feels harder
- Whether you feel safe
- Whether you feel able to cope
If your symptoms are affecting your daily life, speaking with a licensed mental health professional can help you understand what may be happening and what support is available.
If you are in immediate danger or need emergency medical help, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
