Quick mental health check (PHQ-4)

The PHQ-4 is a four-question check of how much low mood and worry have been affecting you. It is a good first step if you are not sure what you are feeling. It takes about a minute.

4 questions
About 1 minute
Free, no sign-up
Answers not saved

Made by Drs Kurt Kroenke, Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams and Bernd Löwe (2009). It combines the first two questions of the GAD-7 and the PHQ-9. This is a screening check for adults (18+), not a diagnosis.

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?

1. Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge

Not at all Several days More than half the days Nearly every day

2. Not being able to stop or control worrying

Not at all Several days More than half the days Nearly every day

3. Little interest or pleasure in doing things

Not at all Several days More than half the days Nearly every day

4. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

Not at all Several days More than half the days Nearly every day

Your answers are not stored. They are only used to work out your result on this page.

About this test

The PHQ-4 is a four-question check of how much low mood and worry have been affecting you. It is a good first step if you are not sure what you are feeling. It takes about a minute.

PHQ-4: Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW, Löwe B. An ultra-brief screening scale for anxiety and depression: the PHQ-4. Psychosomatics. 2009;50(6):613-621. Developed by Drs Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute.

Questions people ask

What is the PHQ-4?

A four-question check used by doctors to get a quick picture of anxiety and low mood. Two questions are about worry and two are about mood.

Is this a mental health test for students?

Yes, students aged 18 and over can use it. It takes a minute and is free. If you are under 18, please talk to a parent, a teacher or your school counsellor.

Is this mental health test free and private?

Yes. There is no sign-up, and your answers are not saved anywhere.

What do the scores mean?

The total goes from 0 to 12: 0 to 2 none to minimal, 3 to 5 mild, 6 to 8 moderate and 9 to 12 severe. A score of 3 or more on the two worry questions, or on the two mood questions, is a sign to take the longer anxiety or depression test.

Is this a diagnosis?

No. It is a quick screening check. Only a professional can diagnose a mental health condition after talking with you.

Other free self-checks

Depression test (PHQ-9)Nine questions about low mood over the last two weeks. Anxiety test (GAD-7)Seven questions about worry and nervousness over the last two weeks. Adult ADHD test (ASRS v1.1)Six questions about focus, organisation and restlessness over the last 6 months.

Written by the Mindara editorial team.