K10 Psychological Distress Test
Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10)
10 questions on how often you've felt nervous, hopeless, restless or worn out in the last month.
Developed by: Kessler et al., 2002
How would you like to take it?
- Your score, worked out with the questionnaire's published scoring
- Your severity level and what it means
- The reference ranges from the test manual
- A report you can view and download straight away
It's an automatic screening report from your own answers — not reviewed by a psychologist and not a diagnosis. You can book a psychologist any time to go through it with you.
10 questions · about 2–3 min · secure payment
K10 — frequently asked questions
How long does the K10 take?
It has 10 questions and takes about 2–3 min. You answer online, at your own pace.
Is the K10 a diagnosis?
No. The K10 is a validated questionnaire that measures how strong your symptoms are. A diagnosis needs a clinical assessment by a qualified professional — which you can add by taking it with a psychologist.
What do I get if I take it on my own?
An instant automatic report: your score worked out with the published scoring, your severity level and what it means, and the reference ranges from the test manual. You can view and download it straight away.
What does a psychologist add to the report?
After going through your result with you in a session, they add a summary in simple words, their clinical observations, recommendations and next steps, a follow-up plan, a referral if needed, and their signature with their RCI / registration number.
Who developed the K10?
Kessler et al., 2002. Kessler RC, Andrews G, Colpe LJ, et al. Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychol Med. 2002;32(6):959–976. Kessler RC, Barker PR, Colpe LJ, et al. Screening for serious mental illness in the general population. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2003;60(2):184–189. Bands: Andrews G, Slade T. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2001;25(6):494–497.
Are my answers private?
Yes. If you take it on your own, your answers and report are private to you. If you take it with a psychologist, they are shared only with that psychologist.
A screening score is not a diagnosis. If you are in crisis in India, call Tele-MANAS 14416 (free, 24×7) or go to the nearest hospital.