Depression Test Online — 11 Clinically Validated Scales
PHQ-9, HAM-D, MADRS, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, DSM-5 Severity Measures, DASS-21 — every major depression scale used in clinical practice.
All 12 tests
Each card opens the assessment in the Mindtalk app. Your results are saved privately and can be tracked over time.
EPDS-10
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (10-item)
Postnatal-specific. Same family as full EPDS (separate entry below).
DASS-21
Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – Short Form
Cross-category: depression + anxiety + stress. Could surface in all three category pages.
SDS (Zung)
Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale
Disambiguate from SDS = Severity of Dependence Scale (Addiction) which is also in catalog.
DSM-5 Depression (Child)
DSM-5 Severity Measure for Depression – Children 11–17
DSM-5 Depression (Adult)
DSM-5 Severity Measure for Depression – Adult
PHQ-9
Patient Health Questionnaire (9-item)
Depression hero. Most widely used depression screener globally.
MADRS
Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale
Clinician-administered. Public 'Take Now' CTA may not be appropriate — discuss with clinical team.
MDQ
Mood Disorder Questionnaire
Bipolar spectrum screener. Categorize as Depression & Mood for SEO grouping.
⚠️ Crisis safety
If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide right now, please reach out — you do not need to wait for a test result to do so:
- iCall India: 9152987821
- Vandrevala Foundation: 1860 2662 345
- AASRA: +91 9820466726
- Cadabams Mindtalk: +91 73534 00999
If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest hospital.
How to choose a depression test
Five practical routes through the library, depending on where you are:
- If you want a starting point — the PHQ-9. Globally validated, two minutes, gives a clear severity band you can act on.
- If you have recently had a baby (or are pregnant) — the EPDS. It is designed specifically for the perinatal presentation of depression and is validated for use through pregnancy and up to a year postpartum.
- If you are tracking response to treatment — use the same scale repeatedly. The PHQ-9 is the most common choice because the score band is well-calibrated and the items are stable across time.
- If you are a parent or teenager (11-17) — the DSM-5 Severity Measure for Depression (Child 11-17). Adult scales applied to adolescents produce misleading results.
- If your concern includes anxiety and stress alongside low mood — the DASS-21 measures depression, anxiety, and stress in a single instrument.
Understanding PHQ-9 scores
The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item) score band table is the most-used summary in clinical depression screening:
| Score | Severity | Typical action | |---|---|---| | 0-4 | Minimal | No action needed; recheck if symptoms develop | | 5-9 | Mild | Lifestyle modifications, watchful waiting; consider therapy | | 10-14 | Moderate | Clinical evaluation recommended; therapy with or without medication | | 15-19 | Moderately severe | Clinical evaluation needed; combination therapy + medication often indicated | | 20-27 | Severe | Urgent clinical evaluation; intensive treatment usually required |
Important — Question 9. The ninth question on the PHQ-9 asks about thoughts of self-harm. Any response other than "Not at all" on this question warrants same-day clinical contact, regardless of your total score. Please contact a clinician or a crisis helpline (numbers above) the same day.
Depression vs sadness
Sadness and depression are easy to confuse but clinically different:
- Sadness is time-limited, tied to a cause, does not significantly impair daily function, and tends to lift with support and time.
- Depression persists for two weeks or more, may have no clear cause, impairs function across work, relationships, sleep, and appetite, and does not lift with usual coping.
Depression has biological, psychological, and social dimensions — treatments exist for all of them, and treatment efficacy is well- established across severity levels. The deeper context lives on the Mindtalk depression hub, including symptoms, sub-types, and how care typically progresses.
Depression treatments backed by research
A handful of treatments have strong evidence across mild, moderate, and severe depression:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — first-line, strongest evidence base. Typically 12 to 20 weekly sessions.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) — especially effective for depression arising in life transitions (loss, role change, new parenthood).
- Behavioural Activation — particularly effective for moderate depression; sometimes used as a standalone protocol.
- SSRIs / SNRIs — first-line pharmacological treatment for moderate-to-severe depression. Requires a psychiatrist.
- Combination therapy + medication — often outperforms either alone for severe depression.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) — evidence-based for severe, treatment-resistant depression. Specialist-administered.
For a structured 90-day path, our depression and anxiety rehabilitation journey combines CBT-style daily practice with weekly reflection. It pairs naturally with therapy rather than replacing it.
When to see a Mindtalk specialist
A few signals to act on directly:
- Your PHQ-9 score is moderate (10-14) or higher.
- Low mood has been present two weeks or more and is interfering with work, sleep, or relationships.
- You are experiencing suicidal thoughts of any intensity (PHQ-9 Question 9 above zero).
- Depression is co-occurring with anxiety, substance use, or a physical health condition.
- A previous depressive episode is returning or treatment is no longer working.
Mindtalk's psychiatrists and clinical psychologists provide depression treatment in person across Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Mysore — and online for anywhere in India. Same-day appointments are available when the situation calls for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the most accurate depression test?
- The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item) is the most widely validated depression screener in clinical practice globally. It takes 2-3 minutes, scores 0-27, and is used in psychiatric research, primary care, and treatment monitoring. For clinician-administered assessment, the HAM-D (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) and MADRS (Montgomery-Åsberg) are gold standards. For postnatal depression specifically, the EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) is the international standard. Mindtalk offers all four plus 7 additional scales.
- What does my PHQ-9 score mean?
- PHQ-9 scores fall into bands — 0-4 (minimal), 5-9 (mild), 10-14 (moderate), 15-19 (moderately severe), 20-27 (severe). A score above 10 typically warrants clinical evaluation. A score above 20, or any answer indicating suicidal thoughts, warrants immediate clinical attention — please contact a Mindtalk specialist or a crisis helpline same-day. A high score is a signal, not a diagnosis; only a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist can diagnose depression by integrating your score with your clinical history.
- Is feeling sad the same as being depressed?
- No. Sadness is a normal human emotion in response to loss, disappointment, or difficulty — it is typically time-limited and tied to a cause. Depression is a clinical condition where low mood persists for two weeks or more, accompanied by loss of interest in usual activities, changes in sleep and appetite, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or thoughts of worthlessness or self-harm. The PHQ-9 specifically asks about these symptoms over the past two weeks, which is why it is a screening tool rather than a measure of how you feel right now.
- Can a depression test diagnose me?
- No — depression assessments are screening tools that indicate whether your symptoms are clinically significant. A formal diagnosis requires a qualified psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who can rule out medical causes (thyroid disorders, vitamin deficiencies, medication side effects), assess for related conditions (anxiety, bipolar disorder), and integrate your score with your full clinical history. A high PHQ-9 score is the start of that conversation, not a substitute for it.
- I just had a baby — which depression test should I take?
- The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is the international standard for screening depression during pregnancy and after childbirth. It takes 3 minutes, is validated for use up to one year postpartum, and accounts for the unique presentation of perinatal mood symptoms (which often differ from general adult depression). Mindtalk offers both the 10-item and short forms. If your EPDS score is elevated, please reach out to a perinatal mental health specialist — Cadabams has experienced clinicians for this.
Need a clinician's read on your results?
A high score is a signal, not a diagnosis. Mindtalk's psychiatrists and clinical psychologists can interpret your results and recommend next steps — same-day appointments available.