PHQ-15
Patient Health Questionnaire — 15 (somatic symptoms)
The Patient Health Questionnaire — 15 (somatic symptoms) (PHQ-15) is a 15-item general distress / well-being assessment for adults. It typically takes about 4 minutes to complete, producing a total score from 0 to 30 where higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
15
4 min
adult
0–30
About the PHQ-15
The Patient Health Questionnaire — 15 (somatic symptoms) (PHQ-15) is a 15-item general distress / well-being assessment for adults. It typically takes about 4 minutes to complete, producing a total score from 0 to 30 where higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
First published in 2002 by Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW, the PHQ-15 is in the public domain and free to use without permission or fees. With Psyche Assess you can send the PHQ-15 to clients online, score it automatically, and generate a clinician-ready report in seconds.
PHQ-15 questions
- 1
Stomach pain.
- 2
Back pain.
- 3
Pain in your arms, legs, or joints (knees, hips, etc.).
- 4
Menstrual cramps or other problems with your periods (women only).
- 5
Headaches.
- 6
Chest pain.
- 7
Dizziness.
- 8
Fainting spells.
- 9
Feeling your heart pound or race.
- 10
Shortness of breath.
- 11
Pain or problems during sexual intercourse.
- 12
Constipation, loose bowels, or diarrhoea.
- 13
Nausea, gas, or indigestion.
- 14
Feeling tired or having low energy.
- 15
Trouble sleeping.
Items reproduced from a documented, freely usable source. Item wording is preserved exactly as published.
Scoring & interpretation
| Range | Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal | Minimal somatic-symptom burden. |
| 5–9 | Low | Low somatic-symptom severity. |
| 10–14 | Medium | Medium somatic-symptom severity; clinical review indicated. |
| 15–30 | High | High somatic-symptom severity; consider somatic-symptom disorder workup. |
Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Frequently asked questions
How many items does the PHQ-15 have?
The PHQ-15 has 15 items and takes about 4 minutes to complete.
How is the PHQ-15 scored?
Item responses are summed for a total score from 0 to 30, where higher scores indicate greater severity. Totals fall into the interpretive bands shown above.
Is the PHQ-15 free to use?
Yes — the PHQ-15 is in the public domain and free to use, reproduce, and translate.
Who is the PHQ-15 for?
The PHQ-15 is designed for adult and is used by clinicians, researchers, and integrated-care teams.
Source & references
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