A high score on which screening tool suggests a high risk for depression in adults?

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used tool designed to screen for depression and assess the severity of depressive symptoms in adults. Its design allows for the score to correlate directly with the severity of depression, ranging from minimal to severe based on a score that can be obtained by tallying responses to the nine questions that reflect the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder.

A high score on the PHQ-9 indicates a greater severity of depressive symptoms and underscores the likelihood of a depressive disorder. In fact, a score of 10 or higher is often considered indicative of a major depressive disorder and prompts the need for clinical attention and potential treatment planning.

This tool is structured to not only screen for depression but also to track changes in symptoms over time, making it invaluable in both initial assessment and ongoing evaluation of treatment efficacy. Its established use in both clinical and research settings reinforces its reliability and validity in identifying adults at high risk for depression.