---
title: "Are Online Depression Tests Accurate?"
url: https://drvohras.com/guides/online-depression-test-accuracy
language: en-IN
author: "Dr Vohra's"
updated: 2026-10-21
license: "Page text: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)."
---

# Are Online Depression Tests Accurate?

This is the markdown version of https://drvohras.com/guides/online-depression-test-accuracy, a page of Dr Vohra's, a psychiatry and psychology clinic in New Delhi. It is information, not medical advice; the clinic's contact details are at the end.

Online depression tests are accurate at what they are designed for, screening, and not at what people hope, diagnosis. The PHQ-9, the most used, identifies likely depression with sensitivity and specificity around 85 to 90 percent in validation studies, which means it is a good prompt to seek assessment and a poor substitute for one. A high score means see a clinician; a low score with ongoing distress still means see a clinician. The Stressometer, Dr Vohra's screening tool, maps stress across five areas of life and recommends a level of care rather than a label.

Dr Vohra's · Updated 21 October 2026

## What a screening test does

A screen asks about the frequency of symptoms over the last two weeks and sums them. It cannot tell depression from grief, from a thyroid problem, from bipolar depression, or from the ordinary strain of a bad month, and it cannot judge severity in context. A clinician can. The useful outputs of a screen are a decision (seek help or not) and a baseline to track change.

## Common tests

- PHQ-9: nine questions on depression; scores 10 or more suggest moderate depression
- GAD-7: seven questions on anxiety
- DASS-21: depression, anxiety and stress together
- Stressometer: 55 questions across human nature, life circumstances, clinical symptoms, domestic life and professional life, with a colour-coded report and a recommended next step; validated against the DASS, PSS and SOS scales with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.935

## What to do with the result

Moderate or high: book a psychiatric or psychological assessment; take the result with you. Low but still struggling: book anyway; screens miss people who under-report. Any answer indicating thoughts of self-harm: contact Tele-MANAS 14416 or a clinician today.

## Frequently asked questions

- **Can I diagnose myself with depression using an online test?**: No. A diagnosis needs a clinical interview. A test can tell you it is worth having one.
- **Is the Stressometer a depression test?**: It is a broader stress and emotional health screening that includes clinical symptoms as one of five dimensions, and it recommends a level of care.
- **How do I book at Dr Vohra's?**: Call or WhatsApp +91 99992 49223, email help@drvohras.com, or use the contact form. In person at 29/24, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110008, or online across India.
- **What if this is an emergency?**: Call Tele-MANAS 14416 or KIRAN 1800-599-0019 (24x7, free) or 112. Dr Vohra's is not an emergency service.

## Book a consultation

Call [+91 99992 49223](tel:+919999249223), email [help@drvohras.com](mailto:help@drvohras.com), or visit us at 29/24, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110008. Online consultations are available across India in English and Hindi.

[Explore Clinical Care](https://drvohras.com/clinical)[Take the Stressometer](https://drvohras.com/screening)

## Sources

- [Kroenke, Spitzer, Williams. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med 2001](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1495268/)

If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, call Tele-MANAS [14416](tel:14416), KIRAN [1800-599-0019](tel:18005990019) or Emergency services [112](tel:112). Tele-MANAS and KIRAN are 24x7 and free anywhere in India. Dr Vohra's is not a crisis or emergency service.