Online depression tests — are they worth taking? PHQ-9, GAD-7 and other tools
Are online depression tests reliable? Overview of PHQ-9 and GAD-7 screening tools — what they are, how they work, and when to seek help.
Do online depression tests make sense?
In Poland, mental health problems affect millions of people. According to EZOP II data, one in four Poles will experience a mental disorder at some point in their life. At the same time, it takes more than a year on average from the first symptoms to the first visit to a specialist.
Online screening tests can shorten that path — they don't replace a visit to a psychiatrist or psychologist, but they help you recognize that "something is wrong" and encourage you to look for help.
What is a screening test?
A screening test (screening tool) is a short questionnaire that assesses how severe your symptoms are. It is NOT a diagnosis — only a specialist can make a diagnosis. It is a filter: if your score goes over the threshold, it's worth booking an appointment.
PHQ-9 — the most popular depression test
The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) has 9 questions about depression symptoms over the last 2 weeks. Each question is scored on a 0–3 scale, for a total score of 0–27.
| Score | Interpretation |
| 0–4 | Minimal symptoms |
| 5–9 | Mild depression |
| 10–14 | Moderate depression |
| 15–19 | Moderately severe |
| 20–27 | Severe depression |
GAD-7 — the generalized anxiety test
The GAD-7 measures how severe your anxiety has been over the last 2 weeks. 7 questions, score 0–21. Clinical threshold: 10 points or more.
Limits of online tests
- They don't replace a diagnosis — they can give false positive and false negative results
- Context matters — a single high score after a hard day doesn't mean you have a disorder
- Self-report has limits — some people consistently understate or overstate their symptoms
- They don't measure causes — the test tells you THAT something is wrong, but not WHY
When should you look for help?
If your screening score is high OR your symptoms last longer than 2 weeks and make everyday life harder — book an appointment. In Poland, you can see a psychiatrist through the NFZ (with waiting lists) or privately.
Helpline in Poland: 116 123 (Centrum Wsparcia, support for people in a mental health crisis)
On PsychoProfil.pl you'll find free PHQ-9 and GAD-7 tests. Remember: your result is a starting point for a conversation, not a verdict.
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