Psychoeducation · 6 min read
PHQ-9 and GAD-7: interpretation guide
Validated screening scales — useful for trends, not for self-diagnosis.
What are they?
PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) assesses depressive symptoms over the last two weeks. GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) measures generalised anxiety symptoms over the same period. Both are widely used in primary care and mental health.
How Anto uses them
Anto can complete these scales from conversation analysis and show history with trends. This helps you see whether symptoms rise or fall over time, especially alongside a professional or as informed self-care.
Important limits
- They are screening tools, not clinical diagnosis
- A bad day can temporarily raise the score
- Physical factors, grief, or acute stress affect responses
- Only a professional can diagnose and plan treatment
What to do with results
If scores stay high, share reports with your doctor or psychologist. If moderate, combine tracking with sleep habits, activity, regulation techniques, and social support.