What is a common tool used for assessing depression levels?

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is widely recognized as a common tool for assessing depression levels. It is a self-administered questionnaire specifically designed to evaluate the presence and severity of depression symptoms based on the criteria set forth in the DSM-5. The PHQ-9 consists of nine questions that correlate with the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, allowing healthcare providers to gauge the extent of a patient’s depression by asking about the frequency of symptoms experienced over the past two weeks.

This tool is particularly valued for its ease of use in both clinical and community settings and for providing a quick screening method that can be used in regular health care visits. It offers a numerical score that assists clinicians in making informed decisions regarding treatment plans based on the severity of the patient's symptoms.

In contrast, while the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is primarily used to assess cognitive function, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is another well-known instrument for measuring depression but is less frequently used than the PHQ-9 in primary care settings. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), although it screens for anxiety disorders, does not focus on depression, further emphasizing the appropriateness of the PHQ-9 as the