Interactive Interpreter

PHQ-15 (Patient Health Questionnaire-15)

The PHQ-15 (Patient Health Questionnaire-15) is a 15-item self-report questionnaire that measures somatic symptom severity in adults over the past four weeks. Scores range from 0 to 30, and it is a severity screener, not a diagnostic test.

  • At intake, particularly when clients present with multiple physical complaints
  • Every 4–12 weeks, to monitor change during treatment
  • As clinically indicated, when somatic symptoms worsen, fluctuate, or are a primary treatment target

For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.

PHQ-15 Score Interpreter

  • PHQ-15 Score Calculator

    Enter each of the 15 items (0–2) to total them and see the band. Items are numbered, not reproduced — enter them from the form in front of you. Scoring aid only; it does not diagnose.

    0 of 15 items entered — 15 still blank. The total can only rise, so treat the range as provisional.

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    Item 15

    Each item scores 0–2.

  • Enter a total score to see its range.

  • 15 items, each scored 0–2 (not bothered at all to bothered a lot); scores summed over the past 4 weeks.

    Total scoreInterpretation
    15+HighHigh somatic symptom burden. Prompts thorough assessment of functional impairment, medical history, and psychological contributors.
    10–14ModerateModerate somatic symptom burden. May benefit from integrated behavioural health evaluation and closer monitoring.
    5–9LowLow somatic symptom burden. Clinical context should guide whether follow-up is indicated.
    0–4MinimalMinimal somatic symptoms reported.

    Kroenke K et al. Psychosom Med. 2002;64(2):258-266; Kroenke K et al. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2010;32(4):345-359. Severity ranges per original validation study and systematic review.

The PHQ-15 (Patient Health Questionnaire-15) is a 15-item self-report questionnaire that measures how much common physical symptoms have bothered a person over the past four weeks. Totals run 0 to 30, with cutoffs of 5, 10 and 15 for low, medium and high somatic symptom severity [1].

Why measure somatic symptoms?

Somatic symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, dizziness, and gastrointestinal discomfort, are among the most common reasons people seek medical care. The PHQ-15 was published in 2002 to give a structured, reliable way to quantify these symptoms and examine their impact on functioning [1]. It takes its 15 symptoms from the original Patient Health Questionnaire.

Somatic symptoms often travel with depression and anxiety, which is why the PHQ-15 is usually read beside the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 [2]. High scores can also point to possible somatic symptom disorder or the need for multidisciplinary care [3].

What does the PHQ-15 measure?

The PHQ-15 captures the frequency and severity of common somatic symptoms, reflecting both distress and functional impact. Symptoms span multiple systems, including:

  • Pain (back pain, headaches, limb pain)
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, constipation, bloating)
  • Fatigue and low energy
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Sleep and menstrual-related concerns (if applicable)

By focusing on symptom burden rather than etiology, the PHQ-15 allows clinicians to identify patterns, track changes, and determine when further medical evaluation or integrated mental health support is appropriate.

How do you give the PHQ-15?

The PHQ-15 is a self-report questionnaire for adults (18+), completed by the client in about 3–5 minutes, typically before a visit. Each of the 15 items is rated 0 (not bothered at all), 1 (bothered a little), or 2 (bothered a lot) for the past four weeks [1].

  • Best given when exploring physical symptoms, especially when several complaints are present
  • Useful for opening a discussion about mind–body connections, coping, and treatment planning
  • Should be paired with clinical evaluation to decide whether symptoms need a medical workup
  • Helps tell isolated physical symptoms apart from broader somatic patterns
  • May support integrated behavioural health care when scores are moderate to high

How do you score and interpret the PHQ-15?

The total reflects how much symptoms have bothered the respondent in the past four weeks. Totals run from 0 to 30: 0–4 minimal, 5–9 low, 10–14 medium and 15 or more high somatic symptom severity, the cutpoints set in the original study [1] and confirmed in a later review [2]. The scorer at the top of this page shows each range with its note.

Interpretation notes:

  • Higher scores indicate greater overall symptom burden, not a specific diagnosis.
  • Moderate to high scores should prompt assessment of functional impairment, medical history, stressors, mood, anxiety, and trauma exposure.
  • Somatic symptoms may be influenced by chronic illness, pain conditions, psychological factors, or lifestyle.
  • Cultural differences can affect how physical symptoms are expressed or reported.
  • The PHQ-15 should be interpreted alongside clinical judgment, the client's history, and appropriate medical evaluation.

Psychometric properties

The original validation gave the PHQ-15 to 6,000 adults in eight general internal medicine and family practice clinics and seven obstetrics-gynecology clinics [1]:

  • Functioning: as scores increased, functional status declined stepwise on all six SF-20 subscales [1].
  • Health care use: symptom-related difficulty, sick days and clinic visits all rose with severity [1].
  • Cutoffs: scores of 5, 10 and 15 marked low, medium and high somatic symptom severity, with similar results in the primary care and obstetrics-gynecology samples [1].

A later systematic review found the PHQ-15 equal or superior to other brief measures for assessing somatic symptoms and screening for somatoform disorders. It rated its sensitivity to change as emerging but not yet definitive [2].

For DSM-5 somatic symptom disorder, accuracy on its own was moderate (AUC 0.70) in 372 adults at a psychosomatic outpatient clinic. Combining it with the SSD-12 improved accuracy (AUC 0.77) [3].

Limitations

  • Not diagnostic for somatic symptom disorder or any specific medical condition
  • High scores can reflect medical illness, psychological distress, or both
  • Self-report may be influenced by health literacy, cultural norms, or response style
  • Does not assess symptom duration beyond the past four weeks
  • Sensitivity to change is less established than for the PHQ-9 [2]

For individuals: This page is a clinical reference, not a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your own symptoms, bring this information to a qualified mental health professional.

FAQ

  • How is the PHQ-15 scored?

    Each of the 15 somatic symptom items is rated on a 3-point scale: 0 (not bothered at all), 1 (bothered a little), or 2 (bothered a lot). All item scores are summed for a total ranging from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate greater somatic symptom burden.

  • What do different PHQ-15 scores mean?

    Scores of 0–4 indicate minimal somatic symptoms, 5–9 indicate low severity, 10–14 indicate moderate severity, and 15 or above indicate high severity. These cutpoints were established in the original validation study by Kroenke, Spitzer, and Williams (2002) and have been replicated in multiple populations.

  • Is the PHQ-15 self-report or clinician-administered?

    The PHQ-15 is a self-report measure designed to be completed by the client, typically in a waiting room or clinical setting before a visit. It does not require scoring by a clinician, though clinical interpretation of results should always involve a qualified professional.

  • Can the PHQ-15 diagnose somatic symptom disorder?

    No. The PHQ-15 is a severity screener, not a diagnostic tool. While elevated scores are associated with greater risk of somatic symptom disorder, a diagnosis requires a comprehensive clinical evaluation. Research has examined the PHQ-15 in combination with other tools to improve detection, but no single questionnaire is sufficient for diagnosis on its own.

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