Distress check (K10)
These questions concern how you have been feeling over the past 30 days. Choose the answer that best represents how you have been.
This check uses the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) — 10 questions about anxiety and depressive symptoms over the past 30 days. It’s a widely used screen for overall psychological distress.
Your answers stay on this device — nothing is sent or saved anywhere.
DocSana self-checks are for information only. They are screening tools, not diagnoses: only a licensed clinician can diagnose a mental health condition. Your answers are scored in your browser and are never sent to or stored by DocSana. We count visits to these pages with privacy-friendly analytics that use no cookies and never receive your answers or results. There is no advertising tracking on self-check pages. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911 if you're in immediate danger.
Common questions
What is the K10?
The K10 — the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale — is a 10-question test measuring psychological distress over the past 30 days. It was developed by Professor Ronald Kessler and is widely used in health surveys. People also search for it as the K10 test or K10 distress quiz.
Is the K10 a diagnosis?
No. It’s a screening tool that measures overall psychological distress — not a diagnosis. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose a mental health condition.
What does my score mean?
Scores run 10–50. 10–15 suggests low distress, 16–21 moderate, 22–29 high, and 30–50 very high. Higher scores are a stronger nudge to reach out.
How often can I retake it?
As often as you like. Your answers are never stored, so each check starts fresh.
The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was developed by Professor Ronald C. Kessler and colleagues. Free to use.
Clinical review pending This page was written by the DocSana team and is awaiting review by a licensed clinician.