Depression doesn't always look the way you'd expect. It's not just feeling sad, it can show up as exhaustion that sleep doesn't fix, losing interest in things that used to matter to you, or a persistent heaviness that makes getting through the day feel harder than it should.

If you've been feeling "off" for more than a couple of weeks — unmotivated, irritable, withdrawn, or just not like yourself — that's worth paying attention to. Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting roughly 1 in 5 adults at some point in their lives. It can happen to anyone regardless of age, background, or circumstances, and it often develops gradually enough that people don't realize what's going on.

Taking a few minutes to check in with yourself is a small but meaningful step. This screening won't tell you whether you have depression (only a licensed therapist or doctor can do that) but it can help you understand what you're experiencing and whether it might be time to talk to someone.

Depression affects people differently, but there are patterns that clinicians look for. You might recognize some of these in yourself over the past couple of weeks:

• You feel sad, empty, or hopeless more days than not
• Activities you used to enjoy — hobbies, socializing, exercise — no longer interest you
• Your sleep has changed significantly, whether you can't fall asleep, can't stay asleep, or are sleeping far more than usual
• You're tired all the time, even when you've rested
• Your appetite has shifted noticeably: eating much more or much less than normal
• You're having trouble concentrating, making decisions, or following through on tasks
• You feel worthless or carry guilt that seems out of proportion
• You've been more restless or physically slowed down than usual
• You've had thoughts about death, self-harm, or suicide

You don't need to experience all of these for depression to be a factor. Even a few persistent symptoms can have a real impact on your quality of life and are worth discussing with a professional.

If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

This screening is quick, completely private, and free.

You'll answer 9 questions about how you've been feeling over the past two weeks. For each question, you'll select how often a particular experience has bothered you — from "not at all" to "nearly every day." The whole thing takes about 2 to 3 minutes.

When you're done, you'll see your score along with an explanation of what it means. Results fall into one of five ranges:

• Minimal (0-4): Few or no symptoms present
• Mild (5-9): Some symptoms present — monitoring yourself over time is a good idea
• Moderate (10-14): Symptoms are clinically significant — a professional evaluation is recommended
• Moderately Severe (15-19): Treatment with therapy and/or medication is typically recommended
• Severe (20-27): Professional support is strongly recommended

This screening uses the PHQ-9, a clinically validated tool used by therapists, doctors, and mental health organizations worldwide. Your answers are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is stored on our servers or shared with anyone.