Which assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate depression?

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used tool specifically designed to evaluate the presence and severity of depression. It consists of nine questions that align with the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder outlined in the DSM-5. Each question reflects a symptom of depression and requires respondents to assess the frequency of these symptoms over the past two weeks. This structured approach allows clinicians to quantify the severity of depressive symptoms, track changes over time, and make informed decisions about treatment interventions.

While other tools mentioned serve valuable functions, they do not primarily focus on depression. For example, the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) is specifically tailored to assess anxiety disorders, while the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is another established measure for evaluating depression but is less commonly used in primary care settings compared to the PHQ-9. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) assesses anxiety severity and does not evaluate depressive symptoms. Therefore, the PHQ-9 stands out as the most appropriate instrument for the assessment of depression specifically.