In plain words
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 is a short form with nine questions about mood, sleep, energy, appetite, and thoughts. The person answers how often each problem has bothered her over the past two weeks. The answers add up to a score. Scores of 10 or more are the usual cut-off for a closer look at depression. A screen is not a diagnosis. It helps a clinician decide what to ask next. Many clinics use this form or a similar one, such as the . Mothers may be asked to complete it at prenatal or postpartum visits. A question about thoughts of self-harm is included, and a positive answer is followed up right away.
The deeper version
The scores nine DSM-based criteria over two weeks, each on a four-point scale, for a total of 0 to 27. Kroenke et al. (2001) validated the instrument in primary care, with a cut-point of 10 or more yielding sensitivity and specificity around 88 percent for major depression. Its use in the perinatal period is widespread, though cut-offs and item performance can differ after birth because of overlapping somatic symptoms. A positive item 9 response requires same-day suicide risk assessment. The scale uses the same threshold of 10 or more (Spitzer et al., 2006), and both appear in perinatal screening guidance.
Where it comes up
- Postpartum depressionPostpartum: Mind
- Partners get it too: paternal and partner postpartum depressionPostpartum: Mind
- When to get help, and who to call tonightPostpartum: Mind
- Therapy and medication after birth: what the options arePostpartum: Mind
- Depression during pregnancyPregnancy: Mind and Life
What mothers here say about Patient Health Questionnaire-9
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Sources
- Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB — The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine 2001
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Committee Opinion 757: Screening for perinatal depression, 2018