🧠 PHQ-2 Depression Screen
Screen for depression with the two-item PHQ-2.
Clinical takeaway
A positive screen prompts the PHQ-9.
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When to use
First-step depression screening.
How it works
Two items scored 0–3 (anhedonia, low mood); total 0–6. Positive ≥ 3.
Key points
- A positive screen prompts the PHQ-9.
- Good sensitivity for major depression.
- Include a safety assessment where indicated.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Little interest or pleasure in doing things | Not at all (0) |
|---|---|
| Feeling down, depressed or hopeless | Not at all (0) |
→PHQ-20/6
- Interpretation：Negative screen.
| Little interest or pleasure in doing things | Nearly every day (3) |
|---|---|
| Feeling down, depressed or hopeless | Nearly every day (3) |
→PHQ-26/6
- Interpretation：Positive screen — administer the PHQ-9 / full assessment.
Frequently asked questions
- What is PHQ-2 Depression Screen?
- Screen for depression with the two-item PHQ-2.
- How is PHQ-2 Depression Screen calculated? What is the core formula?
- Two items scored 0–3 (anhedonia, low mood); total 0–6. Positive ≥ 3.
- When is PHQ-2 Depression Screen used?
- First-step depression screening.
- What are the key clinical points for PHQ-2 Depression Screen?
- A positive screen prompts the PHQ-9. Good sensitivity for major depression. Include a safety assessment where indicated.
- What are the limits and cautions when using PHQ-2 Depression Screen?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is PHQ-2 Depression Screen calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Little interest or pleasure in doing things Not at all (0), Feeling down, depressed or hopeless Not at all (0) → Result: PHQ-2 0 /6（Interpretation: Negative screen.） Inputs: Little interest or pleasure in doing things Nearly every day (3), Feeling down, depressed or hopeless Nearly every day (3) → Result: PHQ-2 6 /6（Interpretation: Positive screen — administer the PHQ-9 / full assessment.）