PHQ-9
Medical abbreviation · Mental Health & Psychiatry
| Stands for | Patient Health Questionnaire-9 |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
PHQ-9 stands for Patient Health Questionnaire-9, a mental health & psychiatry abbreviation also used in science.
Nine-item self-report questionnaire that screens for depression and measures severity over the past two weeks, scoring 0–27. Scores of 5, 10, 15 and 20 mark mild, moderate, moderately severe and severe depression.
Example: PHQ-9 down from 19 to 8 after 8 weeks on sertraline; continue current dose.
Usage notes
Developed by Kroenke, Spitzer and Williams and published in 2001, it maps directly onto DSM criteria and is free to use. Item 9 asks about thoughts of being better off dead or of self-harm, so any positive answer needs follow-up. It is the most widely used depression measure in primary care.
Related abbreviations
More mental health & psychiatry abbreviations
- PCL-5 – PTSD Checklist for DSM-5
- PD – Panic disorder
- PDD – Persistent depressive disorder
- PE – Prolonged exposure therapy
- PHP – Partial hospitalization program
- PHQ-2 – Patient Health Questionnaire-2
- PMDD – Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- PND – Postnatal depression
- PPD – Postpartum depression
- PTSD – Post-traumatic stress disorder
- RAD – Reactive attachment disorder
- SA – Suicide attempt
See all 100 mental health & psychiatry abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.