Maybe you’ve been feeling low for a while, struggling to enjoy things you usually look forward to, or finding everyday responsibilities harder than they used to be. You might have a good reason for feeling this way, but you may still wonder whether it’s more than a difficult period.
Our depression quiz uses the PHQ-9, a screening tool many doctors and therapists rely on, to help you take a closer look at the past two weeks. It can’t diagnose depression, but it can help you notice symptoms worth discussing with a professional.
Take the Depression Quiz
Think about how you’ve been feeling over the last two weeks and choose the answer that best describes how often each problem has bothered you. The first nine questions come from the PHQ-9, and the last question about alcohol and drug use won’t change your score. Your answers stay private, since the quiz doesn’t send or save your responses.
Your Results
Please Reach Out for Support Now
You shared that you’ve had thoughts of death or of hurting yourself, and that matters more than any score. You don’t have to handle this alone. Call or text 988 to talk with a trained counselor at any hour, or call 911 if there’s immediate danger.
When things feel calmer, our team at Wise Path Recovery Centers is also here for you at 866-860-9772.
Please Reach Out for Professional Support Soon
Your answers show that depression symptoms have been affecting you nearly every day, and you deserve support with what you’re carrying. Reaching out to a doctor or mental health professional in the next few days is an important step, since they can look at what’s going on and help you find relief.
If you ever feel unsafe, you can call or text 988 at any hour.
It’s a Good Idea to Talk With a Professional Soon
You’ve been dealing with frequent symptoms of depression, and they may be making work, relationships, or daily routines harder. Talking with a doctor or mental health professional soon can help you understand what’s contributing and what kind of care could help.
These Symptoms Deserve a Closer Look
Your answers point to symptoms that are worth checking with a professional. This isn’t a diagnosis, since stress, sleep, health conditions, and substance use can all play a part, but an evaluation can help you get clear answers and the right support.
Some Symptoms Are Worth Keeping an Eye On
You’ve noticed a few symptoms of depression over the past two weeks. They may ease on their own, but if they stick around or start making daily life harder, talking with a healthcare professional is a helpful next step.
Retaking the quiz in a few weeks can also show you whether things are changing.
You’re Reporting Few Symptoms Right Now
Your answers show few symptoms of depression over the past two weeks. Even so, if something still doesn’t feel right, it’s always okay to talk with someone you trust or a healthcare professional.
Drinking or using more than usual can affect your sleep, energy, and mood, so be sure to mention it to your provider. If you drink heavily most days, talk with a medical professional before stopping on your own, since alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. Our medically supervised detox can help you stop safely, and our team treats substance use and depression together.
Not sure where your use stands? Call our admissions team at 866-860-9772 to talk it through confidentially.
In West Virginia, you can also call or text HELP4WV at 1-844-435-7498 to find mental health and addiction resources near you.
This quiz is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. The PHQ-9 was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc.
Drug & Alcohol Rehab and
Addiction Treatment in West Virginia
Get in touch with our recovery center today at 866-860-9772
Am I Depressed or Just Going Through a Rough Patch?
After taking this depression quiz, you might get some clarity, but it’s not a full diagnosis, and you might still have questions. A rough patch and depression can feel similar, but the duration, intensity, and impact of your symptoms can offer important clues.
Signs It May Be a Rough Patch
- Your mood improves as circumstances change.
- You can still enjoy activities or moments with others.
- Difficult feelings tend to relate to a specific situation.
- You can generally manage your daily responsibilities.
Signs It May Be Depression
- Low mood or loss of interest persists for at least two weeks.
- Activities you once enjoyed feel less rewarding.
- Guilt, worthlessness, or harsh self-criticism becomes common.
- Work, relationships, or everyday tasks feel increasingly difficult.
People with depression can still have good days, and having a reason to feel sad doesn’t rule out depression. What matters is recognizing changes in how you usually feel and function.
Can You Be Depressed Without Feeling Sad All the Time?
Yes. Depression can show up as exhaustion, difficulty making decisions, or losing interest in things you once enjoyed, even when you don’t feel particularly sad. These symptoms can also vary between people, including how depression can look different in men and women.
You might still get through work, keep up with responsibilities, and seem fine to others, only to feel completely drained afterward. Watch for changes from your usual self, especially when several symptoms appear together. You don’t have to wait until daily life becomes unmanageable to ask for help.
Can Alcohol or Drug Use Make Depression Harder to Recognize?
Yes. Alcohol and drugs can affect sleep, energy, appetite, and concentration, making it harder to distinguish depression from the effects of substance use or withdrawal.
Sometimes mood improves after substance use stops. Other times, depression and a substance use disorder occur together and need attention. This is known as a dual diagnosis, and understanding how mental health and addiction can be treated together can help you explore your options.
If you drink heavily most days, seek medical guidance before stopping, as alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. Wise Path offers medically supervised detox. If you’re unsure whether your drinking is becoming a problem, our guide, Am I Drinking Too Much?, can help you recognize the signs.
Drug & Alcohol Rehab and
Addiction Treatment in West Virginia
Get in touch with our recovery center today at 866-860-9772
What Should I Do If I Think I Have Depression?
If your depression quiz results concern you, these steps can help you decide what to do next.
- Look beyond your score. Notice when symptoms started, how often they occur, and how they affect your daily life.
- Talk to a professional. Share your quiz results with a doctor or mental health provider who can assess your symptoms and possible causes.
- Explore treatment options. Depending on your needs, care may include therapy, medication, or support for co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns
You don’t need to wait two weeks to seek help, especially if symptoms are worsening. If you’re concerned about your immediate safety, seek urgent support.
How Can Wise Path Recovery Centers Help?
Wise Path Recovery Centers is accredited by The Joint Commission and helps adults and young adults across West Virginia recover from alcohol and drug use disorders, including when depression or other mental health concerns are part of the picture.
Our team of physicians, psychiatrists, registered nurses, and licensed clinical social workers builds each plan around the person, so mood and substance use are treated together. Depending on your assessment, care may include detox, residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient care, and medication-assisted treatment at our Morgantown and Williamson locations.
We know that people don’t always arrive knowing which kind of help they need. If depression symptoms are occurring alongside alcohol or drug use, our admissions team can talk with you about what you’ve been experiencing and whether Wise Path’s programs may be appropriate. If your needs fall outside the services we provide, we can help you identify another suitable resource.
FAQs About Our Depression Quiz
What if my depression quiz score is low but I still don’t feel like myself?
It’s still worth talking to someone. The PHQ-9 online depression test only looks at nine symptoms over the past two weeks, so it can miss changes that came on slowly, feelings that come and go, or struggles like anxiety and burnout. If something feels off, that alone is a good reason to reach out.
Can a depression test tell if I have bipolar disorder?
No. The PHQ-9 only asks about depressive symptoms, so it can’t detect bipolar disorder. If you’ve also had stretches of unusually high energy, little need for sleep, or racing thoughts, mention them to your provider, since bipolar disorder is treated differently from depression.
Can a physical health problem feel like depression?
Yes. Thyroid problems, anemia, sleep disorders, chronic pain, and some medications can cause fatigue, low mood, or trouble concentrating. That’s one reason a provider may suggest a physical exam or blood work before confirming a diagnosis.
How often can I retake the depression quiz?
Every two to four weeks is a helpful rhythm, since the questions ask about the past two weeks. Retaking it daily usually won’t tell you much, but tracking your score over time can show whether things are improving and give your provider useful information.
Can a depression quiz pick up seasonal depression?
It can show whether you’ve had depression symptoms over the past two weeks, but it can’t tell whether they follow a seasonal pattern. If your mood, energy, or sleep tends to change around the same time each year, often in fall or winter, let your provider know so they can look at that pattern with you.
