Depression Test: A Preliminary Self-Assessment and When to Seek Professional Help

Have you been feeling sick for weeks and don't know if what you have is depression? Sometimes we need some guidance before taking the step of calling a professional. The tests for depression Clinically validated tests are not a substitute for a psychologist’s diagnosis, but they can help you better understand what’s happening and decide whether it’s time to seek help. In Spain, 30% of the adult population exhibits symptoms of depression, but many people wait months or years to seek help due to a lack of awareness or because they normalize their suffering. On this page, you’ll find information about the tests for depression the most commonly used in Spanish clinical psychology and how to interpret them. .

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Test of depression

What depression tests do psychologists use in Spain?

In psychology, various assessment scales are used to evaluate depression, all of which have been validated for the Spanish population. The most commonly used ones are as follows:
Inventory of Depression Beck-II (BDI-II): It consists of 21 items that assess the severity of depressive symptoms in adults and adolescents aged 17 and older. Scores are interpreted in four ranges: minimal (0–13), mild (14–19), moderate (20–28), and severe (29–63).
PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9): A widely used 9-item scale in primary care for screening and monitoring depression. It is based directly on the DSM-5 criteria for the depressive episode greater. It is especially useful for monitoring progress during treatment.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D/HDRS): A hetero-applied scale (completed by the clinician after the interview) consisting of 17 or 21 items. It is the gold standard in clinical research and drug trials.
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS): Another 10-item hetero-applied scale that is particularly sensitive to changes during drug treatment.
IMPORTANT: No online test can diagnose depression. These are screening tools that indicate the possible presence and severity of depressive symptoms, but a diagnosis always requires a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.. At MadridPsicoterapia, we use these scales as part of our initial assessment, always within the context of a comprehensive clinical interview.

Validated Scale · PHQ-9

PHQ-9 Depression Test

Describe how you've been feeling during the the last 2 weeks. The test takes less than 3 minutes.

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Why Choose Us

Why Choose MadridPsicoterapia?

✓

Licensed and Specialized Psychologists

Our Team consists of licensed health psychologists at the COP in Madrid, with specialized training and proven experience in treating depressive disorders. We work with professional rigor and stay up to date with the latest scientific developments to provide you with the best possible care.

✓

Evidence-Based Therapies

We use a variety of approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, ACT, exposure and emotional regulation techniques, and third-generation therapies, among others, because we believe you deserve treatment for depression that has proven its effectiveness in rigorous clinical research—not fads or empty promises.

✓

Personalized Treatment Plan

We don't follow rigid protocols. After a detailed initial evaluation, we design a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation, your goals, and your schedule. Because we understand that everyone experiences the depression in a unique way, and the approach must respect that uniqueness

✓

Central location in Chamberí

Our office is located at 141 Santa Engracia Street, in the Chamberí neighborhood, with excellent Metro and bus connections. We also offer treatment for depression in Chamberí, both in person and online for those who prefer the convenience of joining from home.

✓

Compassionate and non-judgmental support

We know that taking the step to ask for help isn’t always easy. That’s why at MadridPsicoterapia you’ll find a warm, confidential, and judgment-free space where you are our top priority. We’re committed to supporting you with honesty, empathy, and absolute respect for your journey.

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Making decisions is also part of the process.

We offer you an initial session—either online or in person—so we can get to know each other.

From there, you should only continue if you feel you've established a connection with the professional you've met. The rest of the process is flexible, tWe explain how it works and the terms and conditions starting with the first session. No monthly fees, no long-term commitments, and fixed prices per session.

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People who started individual therapy with us in Madrid

Juana, Carlos, Rocío, Almudena… We don't like to talk about numbers. We help real people with real names in real-life situations. It could be your neighbor, a friend, a mother, a coworker, your child… every name holds a different story. And every story deserves to be truly heard.

I came because my wife asked me to. I thought there was nothing wrong with me, but I was impossible to be around. Here, I've been able to talk about things I'd never talked about with anyone before. I've come to understand where all that anger was coming from. Things at home have improved a lot.

Carlos Jiménez42 years old

I started this after my partner suddenly broke up with me. The first few months were awful. Here, I've been able to let go of all that pain without feeling like I was burdening anyone. I've also worked on patterns I kept repeating in my relationships. It's helped me a lot.

Ana Torres29 years old

I lost my mother years ago, and I was still having a really hard time. Here, I've learned that grief takes its own time. I still miss her every day, but it's different now.

Elena Garcia37 years old

I was on sick leave due to stress, headaches, insomnia, digestive problems… The usual stuff. Here, I’ve been working on setting boundaries at work. It’s not like I’m a completely different person now, but at least I’ve learned to say no every once in a while. To be honest, it’s still incredibly hard for me.

Javier Romero51 years old

My kids and I were in a terrible place after the divorce. All we did was argue. I've worked on improving our communication, and well, now at least we can talk without ending up yelling at each other.

Carlota45 years

I started online therapy because my work schedule made it impossible to attend in-person sessions. At first, I thought it wouldn't be the same, but it's worked out really well for me—I do it from home after I get back from work, when everyone else is asleep.

Joaquín Martos39 years old

My job requires me to travel constantly, and online therapy has been the only way I've been able to stay in therapy. It doesn't matter if I'm in Madrid, Barcelona, or anywhere else. I just log in, and that's it.

Rubén Castillo31 years old

I felt trapped in a life that wasn't my own. I was doing what was expected of me, not what I wanted to do. I've been working on connecting with what I truly want. I'm making some major changes.

Gabriela Núñez38 years old

After becoming a mother, I felt invisible. I was just “the mother of.” I’ve worked on my identity beyond motherhood and have reclaimed parts of myself that I had lost.

Vanesa Peñalver,32 years old

I live in a small town where everyone knows each other. Online therapy has allowed me to find a professional outside of town without anyone seeing me go in or out of anywhere. I've worked through some very personal issues that I would never have talked about here. I highly recommend it.

Daniel Soria52 years old

I started online during the lockdown and just stuck with it. I like being able to do it from home, without wasting time commuting. I've been working on my social anxiety, and starting online actually took that pressure off me.

Marcos Lillo29 years old

Online therapy seemed a little strange to me at first, but with my shift work, it was impossible to fit in in-person appointments. Being able to log in at 10 p.m. after work has been key. If it had been in person, I would have quit right away.

Lucía Fernández41 years old

I used to have uncontrollable outbursts of anger. I'd fly off the handle over the slightest thing and say terrible things. I'd lost friends because of this. I've worked on identifying what triggers me. My relationships have improved a lot.

Alicia Bravo27 years old

I tried online therapy because I was too embarrassed to go to an in-person session. I know it sounds silly, but that's just how it is. From my room, where no one can see me, I've found it easier to open up. So far, this is working for me, and I feel comfortable this way.

Sandra Molina33 years old

I've been doing online therapy ever since I moved abroad. I wanted to continue seeing my longtime therapist, and this has made that possible. We've been doing this for two years now. The screen can sometimes be a barrier, but being able to maintain that therapeutic connection despite the distance is priceless.

Iván Herrera38 years old

I have two young children, and getting out of the house is a nightmare. Online therapy has been a lifesaver. While they’re napping, I log on. No commuting, no having to find someone to watch the kids. It’s been the only way I’ve been able to take care of myself, too.

Verónica Campos35 years

My father has Alzheimer's, and I take care of everything. I was completely overwhelmed, juggling my own life and taking care of him. Here, I've been able to let off some steam without feeling guilty for being tired. I've learned to ask for help. It was either that or end up completely worn out myself.

Enrique Prieto49 years old

My partner and I hadn't had sex in over a year. We were too embarrassed to even talk about it. Working on this here has helped us communicate better in general. We've regained that connection.

Pablo Ramírez48 years old

Online therapy made me a little nervous at first. I thought it would be weird to talk about my personal stuff in front of a screen. But it’s actually even more comfortable. I’m in my safe space, on my couch, with my blanket.

Almudena Prieto28 years old

After I was dumped, I felt terrible. A friend recommended that I come here. It helped me a lot during the first few months—I could cry and let it all out. Then I stopped coming because I was feeling better. A few months later, I started feeling bad again, so I came back.

Ana Torres29 years old

I was diagnosed with a chronic illness and it really got me down. I've been in therapy for six months. Some days I leave the session thinking, "That was great—really helpful." Other days I leave thinking, "Why am I even coming here if this isn't going to cure me?" But I'm grateful to the team.

Raúl Castro40 years

We went to couples therapy. After four months, we broke up anyway. I don't know if it helped at all or if it just delayed the inevitable. But hey, at least we broke up without killing each other—that's something, at least.

Isabel Ortiz30 years

Total apathy. A friend told me to come. I've been coming for three months. I don't know if I've noticed any changes. I still wake up without any motivation. But hey, at least for one hour a week I'm doing something other than lying on the couch. My psychologist says that just coming here is already a step forward.

Sergio Ramos35 years

Some very dark thoughts brought me here two years ago. I've improved a lot—I won't deny it. My psychologist explained to me that it's not like that, that there can be relapses. It bothered me to hear that, to be honest. But anyway, I'm still working on it.

Óscar Vargas46 years old

I've been dealing with depression for two years. I've tried medication, gone to therapy, exercised—I've tried everything. There are times when I feel better, and other times when I slip back into it. I'm grateful that I've been able to stick it out, and I recommend reaching out for help.

Miguel Ángel Ortega33 years old

I worry about everything: work, anxiety—which causes me horrible physical symptoms. Dizziness, rapid heartbeat, sweating. I’ve gone to the emergency room about five times thinking I was dying. It’s always anxiety. I’m doing online therapy because I’m terrified of leaving the house.

Amparo Giménez36 years old

I've tried everything—yoga, meditation, pills. Nothing works for me. I've been doing online therapy for six months now. The other day, I had a panic attack during the session. I felt ridiculous. My therapist told me it was okay, that it was a good time to work through it.

Remedios Pascual47 years old

I have a really hard time socializing with people. Just the thought of meeting up with friends makes me anxious days in advance. I started therapy a year ago. I've improved in some ways: I can go shopping without feeling so bad, and I can talk on the phone.

Ainhoa Estévez26 years

My anxiety started a couple of years ago. At first, I thought it was just work-related stress. I started online therapy because, with my schedule, it's impossible to go to in-person sessions. Sometimes it helps me to log in from home; other times, having the computer in front of me distracts me.

Sophie Laurent29 years old

I felt constantly overwhelmed by work, by life, by everything. I couldn't stop mulling things over. A friend recommended online therapy to me. At first I was skeptical; I thought talking through a screen wouldn't do any good.

Luca Moretti35 years

I have pretty severe social anxiety. Online therapy was perfect for me because being able to start without having to physically go anywhere took a lot of the pressure off. I've improved quite a bit in some areas—thank you!

Mia Jensen27 years old

I was diagnosed with depression a year ago. The first thing I thought was, “But I’m not sad all the time.” I started online therapy because I didn’t even have the energy to leave the house. It’s been seven months, and I’m starting to notice some changes.

Thomas Bergman37 years old

Depression caught me by surprise. I had always been an active, energetic person. Suddenly, I found myself not wanting to do any of the things I used to enjoy. Going to the gym, hanging out with friends—everything felt like too much trouble. I felt empty.

Marco Bianchi41 years old

I started online therapy six months ago because, honestly, I didn't have the energy to leave the house. Progress has been slow. Some weeks I feel a little better; other weeks I'm back to square one. But I'm learning that depression isn't something you can just snap out of.

Sarah Mitchell34 years old

I've been dealing with depression for about two years. The hardest part is that it's invisible—people look at me and think I'm fine. But inside, I feel empty most of the time. Getting through the day feels like climbing a mountain. I started online.

Elena Rossi29 years old

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Depression Tests

We know that many questions may arise before starting therapy. Here, we answer the most common questions we receive from people who contact our clinic.

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Are online depression tests reliable?

Online depression tests based on validated clinical scales (such as the PHQ-9 or adapted versions of the BDI-II) can provide guidance and be useful as a first step in self-assessment. However, they have significant limitations: they cannot replace a clinical interview, they do not provide a differential diagnosis (they do not distinguish between major depression, dysthymia, anxiety, or grief), they can be influenced by the person’s state of mind at the time they are taken, and they do not take the person’s life history into account. An online test can give you an idea of whether you have symptoms worth discussing with a professional, but it should never be used as a definitive diagnosis. That’s what a psychologist is for.

How often should I take a depression test if I'm already undergoing treatment?

During psychological treatment, many psychologists use scales such as the PHQ-9 or the BDI-II on a regular basis (every 4–6 weeks) to objectively monitor changes in symptoms. This allows the treatment plan to be adjusted based on your response to treatment. If you are currently in treatment, your psychologist will decide when and how to administer these scales. If you are not currently in treatment but suspect that your mood has worsened, a screening test can help you decide whether it’s time to schedule a consultation. At MadridPsicoterapia, we include assessments using standardized scales as part of our routine clinical practice.

Can the depression test also detect anxiety?

Specific depression tests (BDI-II, PHQ-9) are not designed to assess anxiety, although some items may overlap. To assess anxiety, there are specific scales such as the GAD-7, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), all of which have been validated in Spain. Since depression and anxiety very often co-occur, during the initial evaluation at MadridPsicoterapia we use assessment tools that cover both dimensions, in addition to a comprehensive clinical interview.

Can I have a family member who doesn't want to see a psychologist take a depression test?

You can try this as an intermediate step, but keep in mind that the person must take the test honestly and with commitment for it to be useful. If the family member acknowledges that something isn’t right and the test suggests symptoms of depression, it can be a tool that facilitates the conversation and helps them take the step of seeking help. If the family member completely refuses to seek professional help, you can call MadridPsicoterapia at 919 932 920 to consult with our psychologists in Chamberí about how to approach the situation from the outside, without applying counterproductive pressure.

What should I do if the test indicates that I have severe depression?

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