PHQ-9 Depression Screening

You'll answer nine simple questions about your mood, energy, sleep, appetite, and concentration over the past two weeks, scoring each on a brief scale. It takes only a couple of minutes and can be completed on paper or during a telehealth visit.

We then review your responses together and total your score, which gives us a sense of whether your symptoms are mild, moderate, or more significant. Because we screen at routine visits, we can compare your results over time rather than relying on a single snapshot — making it easier to notice meaningful change.

No special preparation is needed — there are no wrong answers, and the questionnaire is simply a starting point for an honest conversation. It helps to answer based on how you've genuinely felt over the past two weeks rather than how you think you should feel.

If recent stress, grief, sleep changes, or a new medication may be affecting your mood, jot it down or mention it so we can put your score in context. Everything you share is confidential and used only to guide your care.

If your screening is unremarkable, we'll note it and continue monitoring at future visits. If your score suggests depression, we'll talk through what's contributing and build a plan that fits you — which may include lifestyle support, medication options, or a referral for cognitive behavioral therapy.

When symptoms are more complex or warrant specialized care, we coordinate referrals to trusted psychiatry colleagues, including through Cedars-Sinai. You're never managing this alone — we follow up to make sure the plan is working and adjust as needed.