Somatic symptoms
PHQ-15 Somatic Symptom Scale
A 15-item measure of physical (somatic) symptom burden.
About this test
The PHQ-15 measures the burden of common physical (somatic) symptoms over the past four weeks. High scores can accompany stress, anxiety and depression, so the result is a prompt for a fuller conversation, not a diagnosis of any single condition.
What your score means
| Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal symptom burden |
| 5–9 | Low symptom burden |
| 10–14 | Medium symptom burden |
| 15–30 | High symptom burden |
About this questionnaire
The PHQ-15 is a freely available screening questionnaire. We present it exactly as published and add a plain-language explanation of your result.
It is for education and self-reflection, not a diagnosis — a score is a snapshot, not a label. If your result worries you, talk to a qualified professional. See how we choose and check our tests and our editorial standards.
Further independent, authoritative sources on this topic:
Frequently asked questions
Does a high PHQ-15 mean something is physically wrong?
Not necessarily. It measures how much physical symptoms bother you. High scores often accompany stress, anxiety or depression and are a reason to talk with a professional.
Is the PHQ-15 free?
Yes. It is in the public domain and free to use.
Related screenings
Source: Kroenke, Spitzer & Williams (2002). Public domain (Pfizer).