It’s important to take care of our mental health just as much as our physical health. One way to do that is by using tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). These tools can help us identify any symptoms of depression or anxiety and seek help if needed.
PHQ-9
The PHQ-9 is a questionnaire that assesses symptoms of depression. It asks about thoughts and feelings we may be experiencing, which can help us identify whether we may be struggling with depression.
GAD-7
The GAD-7 is a questionnaire that assesses symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. It asks about feelings of worry and nervousness, among other symptoms, which can help us identify whether we may be struggling with anxiety.
It’s important to note that these questionnaires should not be used as a diagnosis tool, but rather a way to identify if further evaluation by a healthcare professional is necessary.
Administering the Questionnaires
Both the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 are self-administered questionnaires, which means we can fill them out on our own. If we prefer, we can also fill them out with the help of a healthcare professional.
To fill out the questionnaires, we should read each question carefully and choose the answer that best applies to us. The answers range from “not at all” to “nearly every day.” Once we’ve answered all the questions, we can tally up the score to get an idea of the severity of our symptoms.
Taking Action
If our score on either questionnaire indicates that we may be struggling with depression or anxiety, it’s important to take action. We can share our results with a healthcare professional who can help us determine the best course of action.
Some actions we can take include talking to a therapist or counselor, practicing self-care, and seeking medication if needed. It’s important to prioritize our mental health and not be afraid to reach out for help.
GAD-7 in Spanish
The GAD-7 is also available in Spanish, which can be helpful for those who prefer to read and write in Spanish. This can make it easier to accurately assess symptoms and seek help if needed.
Conclusion
