Depression Screening
Reviewed
Also called: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS and GDS-SF)
A depression screening is a standard set of questions you answer to help your health care provider find out whether you have symptoms or are at risk of depression. It is not a diagnostic test; your provider will need to perform other evaluations and possibly refer you to a mental health care provider to confirm a diagnosis.
Specimen: None (questionnaire)
Urgent safety information
If you are thinking about suicide or hurting yourself, get help right away: Call 911 or go to your local emergency room. Contact a suicide hotline (in the U.S., call or text 988, or chat online with Lifeline Chat).
Why this test may be ordered
- As part of a routine health checkup, especially starting at age 12
- If you show signs of depression such as loss of interest, sadness, sleep changes, or thoughts of self-harm
- If you have conditions that increase risk of depression (e.g., cancer, chronic illness, heart disease, dementia) or have experienced a distressing event
Preparation and collection
You usually don't need any special preparations for a depression test or a blood test.
You will answer a set of questions about your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Your provider may ask the questions directly or give you a short questionnaire to fill out. If a blood test is ordered to rule out other conditions, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm.
There is no risk to answering questions or having a physical exam. If a blood test is done, there is very little risk; you may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
Your screening results, along with your symptoms, will help your provider decide whether you may have depression and, if so, how severe it is. The results are not a diagnosis; further evaluation is needed.
- Screen-negative (lower likelihood of depression): Your answers do not suggest significant depressive symptoms at this time. Limitation: Screening may miss some cases of depression (false negatives). If you still have concerns or symptoms persist, discuss them with your provider. Next step: Continue routine monitoring. If symptoms develop or worsen, follow up with your provider.
- Screen-positive (higher likelihood of depression): Your answers indicate you may have symptoms of depression. The severity may be mild, moderate, or severe. Limitation: Screening is not diagnostic; false positives can occur. Other conditions (e.g., anemia, thyroid disease) can cause similar symptoms. Next step: Your provider will discuss your symptoms and may order blood tests to rule out other causes. You may be referred to a mental health provider for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment options such as counseling or medication.
- Screening is not a diagnostic test; it only indicates whether further evaluation is needed.
- False positives and false negatives are possible.
- Results depend on honest self-reporting and may be influenced by current mood or circumstances.
- Blood tests may be needed to rule out medical conditions that mimic depression, but no lab test can diagnose depression itself.
What to do next
If you are diagnosed with depression, your provider will discuss treatment options which may include counseling or psychotherapy, antidepressant medication, lifestyle changes, and follow-up care to monitor progress. Treatment may take time to work but can help reduce symptoms and shorten how long depression lasts. Starting treatment as soon as possible may improve your chance of recovery.
- Have you had changes in your mood, sleep habits, energy levels, or appetite/weight?
- Are you experiencing stress or difficulty concentrating?
- Do you have a personal or family history of depression or other mental health conditions?
- Have you had any recent life changes or are you using alcohol or drugs?
- Are you having thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide?