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Free online depression test
9 questions, 2-3 minutes and an instant result. If you like, we'll email it to you. It is for guidance only and doesn't replace a professional assessment.
Start the testWhat is depression, and why is it important to diagnose it early?
Depression is a mood disorder that goes far beyond just feeling sad occasionally. It is characterized by deep and persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, and a range of physical and cognitive symptoms that significantly interfere with daily life. It's one of the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide.
Early diagnosis of depression is essential because the disorder tends to worsen if left untreated, leading to more severe episodes, chronicity, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation. Many people live with depressive symptoms for months or even years without seeking help, thinking that "it will pass" or that "it's over", which unnecessarily prolongs the suffering and can have negative consequences on work, relationships, and physical health.
A depression test allows you to quickly identify whether the symptoms you are experiencing are typical of transient sadness or if they could indicate a depressive episode that requires professional attention. Early detection facilitates more effective treatment and prevents complications, significantly improving your quality of life. Recognizing that you have depression is the first step toward recovery, and seeking help is an act of courage and self-care.
What are the most common symptoms of depression?
Depression comes in many forms, affecting emotions, thoughts, body, and behavior. On an emotional level, the most common symptoms include deep and persistent sadness, feelings of emptiness, irritability, loss of interest or pleasure in activities that you once enjoyed (anhedonia), feelings of hopelessness about the future, and in severe cases, thoughts about death or suicide.
On a cognitive level, depression is characterized by difficulty concentrating and making decisions, memory problems, recurring negative thoughts about oneself, the world, and the future, excessive self-criticism, disproportionate or unjustified feelings of guilt, and low self-esteem. Many people describe a "mental fog" that makes it difficult to think clearly.
At the behavioural level, social isolation, abandonment of activities and responsibilities, neglect of personal care, and marked decline in work or academic performance are observed. If you experience several of these symptoms persistently for more than two weeks, it is important to consult a mental health professional.
Take the depression test now.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by these problems?
This result is for guidance only and is not a diagnosis. If you'd like to better understand what's going on and know what to do, book a first appointment with our team: in person in Valencia or online from anywhere in Spain, with no waiting lists.
What does the depression test measure?
This test uses the PHQ-9, a 9-question questionnaire widely used by healthcare professionals to detect depressive symptoms. It asks about your mood, loss of interest, sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and self-image over the past two weeks, and it gives a score from 0 to 27 that guides the intensity of your symptoms.
It is a guidance tool: it does not replace the assessment of a professional nor is it a diagnosis.
How to interpret the results?
Minimal or no depression
Your symptoms are minimal and probably reflect normal ups and downs in mood. You may feel sad occasionally, but it doesn't significantly interfere with your life. Recommendation: keep up healthy habits such as regular exercise, social connection, enough sleep and enjoyable activities to protect your emotional wellbeing.
Mild depression
You have some depressive symptoms that may be moderately affecting your wellbeing and functioning. Although you can still carry out your usual activities, they take more effort than normal. Recommendation: consider seeing a psychologist to stop the symptoms from getting worse. Early intervention is very effective and can prevent a major depressive episode.
Moderate depression
Depression symptoms are noticeably interfering with your daily life, affecting your work or studies, your relationships and your self-care. You feel persistent sadness and a significant loss of interest in activities. Recommendation: it is important to seek professional help. Cognitive behavioural therapy and other psychological treatments are highly effective for moderate depression.
Severe depression
Your level of depressive symptoms is severe and is deeply affecting your ability to function in daily life. Recommendation: we strongly recommend that you seek professional help urgently. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, contact emergency services (112) or the Spanish 024 suicide crisis line immediately.
More about this service: Psychologist for depression at the Vivaldi Clinic.
Psychologists specialising in depression · Vivaldi Clinic
We are a team of health psychologists in Valencia that also serves online throughout Spain. We specialize in diagnostic evaluation and neurodivergence, trauma, childhood and youth, anxiety and depression, and we work with psychiatrists and nutritionists to make your care comprehensive.
First visit in person or online, no waiting lists. If you don't know where to start, we'll walk you through the whole process.
Frequently asked questions about the depression test
How long do I need to take a depression test?
Very little: it's 9 questions and it's answered in 2 or 3 minutes. When you're done, you'll see your result on the screen and, if you want, we'll send it to your email.
What to do after getting the results of the depression test?
The test results include specific recommendations according to your level of depressive symptoms. If your score indicates minimal depression, we suggest keeping up self-care and prevention habits. For mild depression, it's advisable to contact a psychologist to work on the symptoms before they get worse; early intervention is especially effective. If your results show moderate depression, we recommend seeking professional help as a priority, as psychological therapy has excellent success rates. For severe depression, it is essential to contact a mental health professional immediately. At Clínica Vivaldi we offer a first assessment appointment where we look at your situation in full and design a personalised treatment plan using the most effective therapies for depression. You can easily reach us by WhatsApp, phone or email. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please contact emergency services (112) or the 024 helpline.
Is the depression test reliable?
The test uses the PHQ-9, a validated screening tool widely used in primary care and mental health. Still, it is a guiding tool and not a diagnosis: a psychologist or psychiatrist should evaluate your case as a whole.
Is it normal to have depression?
Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders worldwide, affecting about 280 million people, according to the World Health Organization. We all experience sadness at difficult times in life, but when this sadness becomes intense, persistent (more than two weeks), significantly interferes with daily functioning and is accompanied by other symptoms such as loss of interest, sleep or appetite disturbances, and recurrent negative thoughts, then we speak of a depressive episode. Depression is not a sign of weakness or a lack of character but a real disorder with biological, psychological, and social underpinnings. The important thing is to recognize it and treat it properly, for with the right treatment the vast majority of people recover completely.
Can depression be cured?
Yes, depression has an excellent prognosis with proper treatment. Many people experience significant improvements in the first 8-12 weeks of psychological therapy. Learning to recognize the early signs and maintaining healthy habits significantly reduces the risk of relapse. Recovery is possible and real.
How do I know if what I have is depression or anxiety or stress?
Distinguishing between depression, anxiety, and stress can be complex because they often coexist and share some symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and irritability. However, there are important differences. Stress is a response to specific and identifiable external pressures (work, economic problems, conflicts) and generally improves when the stressful situation is resolved. Anxiety is mainly characterized by excessive worry, anticipation of future threats, nervousness, physical symptoms such as palpitations and tension. Depression, on the other hand, is primarily characterized by deep sadness, loss of interest and pleasure in activities (anhedonia), hopelessness, negative thoughts about oneself and the future, fatigue, and slowness. A key differentiator is time orientation: anxiety focuses on the future ("What will happen?"), while depression focuses on the past and the present ("It's not worth it", "Everything is terrible"). A professional evaluation is essential for an accurate differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
When should I see a psychologist for depression?
You don't need to wait until you "hit rock bottom" to seek help; early intervention is more effective and prevents depression from becoming chronic or worse. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, it is essential to get help immediately by contacting emergency services (112), the suicide crisis line (024), or going to the nearest emergency department. At Clínica Vivaldi we specialise in treating depression and can help you recover your wellbeing.