Mild Depression — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ

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EasyMood DisordersMild DepressionMRCPsych Paper B

A 30-year-old man completes the PHQ-9 as part of an assessment for depressive symptoms. His total score is 8. Using the conventional PHQ-9 severity bands, how should this score be classified?

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Correct answer: C — Mild depressive symptoms

The correct answer is C, mild depressive symptoms. Conventional PHQ-9 interpretation classifies scores of 5–9 as mild; a score of 8 therefore falls within this band. Scores of 0–4 indicate minimal symptoms, 10–14 moderate symptoms, 15–19 moderately severe symptoms, and 20–27 severe symptoms. The PHQ-9 is a screening and symptom-severity measure rather than a stand-alone diagnostic assessment. NICE advises assessing severity using symptom intensity and number, duration, course, and functional impairment. It currently groups a PHQ-9 score below 16 within “less severe depression” for treatment recommendations, but this does not alter the conventional PHQ-9 band tested here.

Reference: NHS Data Model and Dictionary. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9): supporting information and score ranges. Published 27 December 2019. https://archive.datadictionary.nhs.uk/DD%20Release%20December%202019/data_dictionary/nhs_business_definitions/p/patient_health_questionnaire-9_de.asp%40shownav%3D1.html