PHQ-4 Anxiety and Depression Screen — Free, Private, Instant | PsychKit™

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PHQ-4 Anxiety and Depression Screen

Four quick questions about the past 2 weeks. Private, free, instant result.

Safety

If you feel in danger or might hurt yourself, call your local emergency number now. Numbers can change. Verify before calling.

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This screen is for education and entertainment only. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. Screening is not a substitute for care. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose. Results are private on your device. You can save a link to your results.

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?

0 / 4

Select one answer for each item.

1) Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge.
2) Not being able to stop or control worrying.
3) Little interest or pleasure in doing things.
4) Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless.
Autosaves on this device

About this screen

  • PHQ-4 combines GAD-2 and PHQ-2. It checks for anxiety and depressed mood over the last 2 weeks.
  • Each item is scored 0 to 3. Subscales: GAD-2 = items 1–2, PHQ-2 = items 3–4.
  • Total score 0–12: 0–2 normal, 3–5 mild, 6–8 moderate, 9–12 severe. Positive subscale screens if GAD-2 or PHQ-2 is 3 or more.
  • Positive screens should be followed by longer tools such as GAD-7 and PHQ-8 or PHQ-9, and a clinical evaluation.

PHQ-4 — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PHQ-4?

PHQ-4 is a brief screen made of two anxiety questions and two depression questions. It offers a fast view and helps decide if longer checks are needed.

How are the scores used?

You get a total score from 0 to 12 and two subscale scores. GAD-2 or PHQ-2 scores of 3 or more are positive screens. Total bands are normal, mild, moderate, and severe.

Is this a diagnosis?

No. PHQ-4 is a screening tool. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose and suggest treatment.

Do you store my answers?

No. Your answers stay on your device using localStorage. You can save a share link in the URL bar that recreates your result without sending data to our servers.

What should I do if my score is high or I feel unsafe?

Use the helpline panel at the top and contact local emergency services. Consider longer questionnaires like GAD-7 and PHQ-8 or PHQ-9 and talk with a licensed clinician.

Can I share results with my clinician?

Yes. Use Copy summary or the shareable link. You can also print the page.

References and credits

  1. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW, Löwe B. An ultra-brief screening scale for anxiety and depression: the PHQ-4. Psychosomatics. 2009.
  2. PHQ and GAD screeners are publicly available. Items must remain unaltered and properly credited.
  3. Common PHQ-4 banding: 0–2 normal, 3–5 mild, 6–8 moderate, 9–12 severe. GAD-2 or PHQ-2 ≥3 indicates a positive subscale screen.
  4. Emergency numbers verified from official sources as of today. Numbers can change. Check your local health authority for the latest.

Instrument items © their original authors. Reproduced verbatim as permitted. No endorsement by any organization is implied.

Copyright & License

© PsychKit™ / Joyful Psych™. The page layout, design, scripts, and compiled code on this page are proprietary and licensed for use only on psychkit.org. Redistribution, copying, republishing, framing, or resale of the code/UI is prohibited without written permission. Original questionnaire items remain © their respective authors and are reproduced under the terms set by those rights-holders. No WHO/CDC/NIH endorsement is implied. For permissions or takedowns, contact: legal@psychkit.org.