PHQ-9 vs GAD-7 β Depression or Anxiety?
Depression and anxiety are the two most common mental health concerns β and they often co-occur. **PHQ-9** (9 items, Kroenke 2001) measures depression severity over the past 2 weeks: low energy, anhedonia (loss of pleasure), sleep and appetite changes, worthlessness, thoughts of self-harm. Scale 0β27 with five severity bands (minimal β severe).
**GAD-7** (7 items, Spitzer 2006) measures generalized anxiety β persistent worry, tension, irritability, trouble relaxing. Scale 0β21.
**How to tell them apart?** Depression is primarily low mood, lost motivation and loss of pleasure. Anxiety is excess arousal, worry, body tension. If your main pattern is "I can't stop thinking about what could go wrong" β start with GAD-7. If it's "nothing feels good anymore" β start with PHQ-9. Scoring above threshold on both is common β depression and anxiety co-occur in ~60% of primary-care cases. **Both are screening tools, not diagnoses.**
When to use: Depression Screening β PHQ-9 (9 items)
- You feel sustained sadness or loss of pleasure
- Low energy and motivation for daily tasks
- Changes in sleep or appetite
When to use: Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7)
- Frequent worry and overthinking
- Body tension, trouble relaxing
- Irritability and restlessness
Not sure? Take both tests!