Benefits of Early Detection！

Depression screening questionnaires play a significant role in mental health screening and preliminary assessment, but their importance must be considered alongside their limitations. Below is a key analysis:

Core Value:

1. Early Identification of Warning SignsStandardized questions (e.g., PHQ-9, SDS) quickly detect typical symptoms such as low mood and loss of interest.Research shows that common clinical scales can identify moderate to severe depression with 70-80% accuracy.
2. Quantitative Symptom AssessmentConvert subjective feelings into measurable scores, making it easier to track changes over time.For example, the BDI scale distinguishes between mild (14-19), moderate (20-28), and severe (29-63) depression.
3. Lowering Barriers to Seeking HelpAnonymous self-screening reduces stigma-related hesitation; about 60% of users seek professional help after self-assessment.

Key Limitations:

1. Not a Diagnostic ToolOnly reflects current mental state and cannot replace clinical interviews (false-positive rates around 15-30%).Results may be influenced by testing environment and individual interpretation biases.
2. Cultural Adaptation DifferencesSome scales may show 10-15% lower specificity in Chinese populations.
3. Risk of MisuseSelf-labeling may worsen psychological distress, particularly among adolescents.

Here are some widely recognized English depression screening questionnaires used in clinical and research settings:

1. Basic Information about PHQ-9

• Development Background: Designed based on the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria for depression.
• Purpose: Screens for depressive symptoms and assesses severity, suitable for clinical and community settings.
• Key Features: Brief (takes 2-3 minutes), standardized, and free to use.

2. Questionnaire Content (9 Core Symptoms)

Respondents rate the frequency of the following symptoms over the past 2 weeks (each item scored 0-3):

1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
3. Sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia)
4. Fatigue or low energy
5. Significant appetite or weight changes
6. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
7. Diminished concentration or indecisiveness
8. Psychomotor agitation or retardation (observable by others)
9. Suicidal ideation or self-harm thoughts

Scoring Options:

• 0 = Not at all
• 1 = Several days
• 2 = More than half the days
• 3 = Nearly every day

3. Scoring and Interpretation

• Total Score Range: 0-270-4: Minimal or no depression5-9: Mild depression (monitoring recommended)10-14: Moderate depression (psychological intervention or further evaluation needed)15-19: Moderately severe depression (medication + psychotherapy advised)20-27: Severe depression (urgent medical intervention required)
• Additional Question (non-scored):"How difficult have these problems made your daily life (e.g., work, relationships)?"Helps evaluate functional impairment.

Recommendations for Scientific Use:

• Combine symptom scales (e.g., PHQ-9) with functional assessments (e.g., WHODAS).
• Positive results should be reviewed by a psychiatrist within 72 hours.
• Trend monitoring (e.g., weekly tracking) is more meaningful than a single score.

Additional Notes: Online self-screening tools have lower sensitivity for mild depression (~55%) but better detection rates for moderate to severe cases. Recent studies suggest integrating voice biomarker analysis and other technologies can improve early screening accuracy.