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Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
PHQ-4 is an ultra-brief mental-health screener with two depression items and two anxiety items. It provides a total distress score plus subscale signals for anxiety and depression to support quick triage.
Formula: PHQ-4 total = Q1+Q2+Q3+Q4 (0-12); anxiety subscale = Q1+Q2; depression subscale = Q3+Q4.
The PHQ-4 was validated by Kroenke and colleagues as a combined PHQ-2/GAD-2 ultra-brief distress screener with standard total bands (0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) and subscale case-finding thresholds of 3 or higher for anxiety and depression domains. It is intended for rapid triage and follow-up with fuller tools such as PHQ-9 and GAD-7.
Higher PHQ-4 totals indicate greater overall distress. Elevated subscales support targeted follow-up for anxiety and/or depression domains.
Use in high-throughput screening settings when an ultra-brief combined anxiety/depression triage tool is needed.
PHQ-4 is intentionally brief and non-diagnostic; positive results require fuller symptom and risk assessment.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
Quick two-question depression screen using the PHQ-2. A score of 3 or higher suggests further evaluation with the full [PHQ-9](/tools/phq9).
Mental HealthQuick two-question anxiety screen using the GAD-2. A score of 3 or higher suggests further evaluation with the full [GAD-7](/tools/gad7).
Mental HealthFree PHQ-9 depression screening questionnaire. Take the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to assess depression severity with instant scoring and interpretation. Also screen for anxiety with [GAD-7](/tools/gad7).
Mental HealthFree GAD-7 anxiety screening questionnaire. Take the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale to assess anxiety severity with instant scoring and interpretation. Also screen for depression with [PHQ-9](/tools/phq9).