Publications
Here is a questionnaire you can answer and score yourself on. For our interactive online quiz on postnatal depression, click here.
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Read more: Pregnant women should be screened for depression
As you are pregnant or have recently had a baby, we would like to know how you are feeling. Please check the answer that comes closest to how you have felt IN THE PAST 7 DAYS, not just how you feel today.
Scoring
Questions 1, 2, & 4 (without an *)
Are scored 0, 1, 2 or 3 with top answer scored as 0 and the bottom scored as 3.
Questions 3, 5-10 (marked with an *)
Are reverse scored, with the top answer scored as a 3 and the bottom box scored as 0.
Maximum score: 30
Possible Depression: 10 or greater
Always look at item 10 (suicidal thoughts)
Here is an example, already completed.
I have felt happy:
Yes, all the time [0]
Yes, most of the time [1] (This would mean: I have felt happy most of the time´ during the past week.)
No, not very often [2]
No, not at all [3]
Please complete the following questions in the same way.
Start quiz
In the past 7 days:
1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things:
As much as I always could [0]
Not quite as much as now [1]
Definitely not so much now [2]
Not at all [3]
2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things:
As much as I ever did [0]
Rather less than I used to [1]
Definitely less than I used to [2]
Hardly at all [3]
*3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong:
Yes, most of the time [3]
Yes, some of the time [2]
Not very often [1]
Not at all [0]
4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason:
No, not at all [0]
Hardly ever [1]
Yes, sometimes [2]
Yes, very often [3]
*5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason:
Yes, quite a lot [3]
Yes, sometimes [2]
No, not as much [1]
No, not at all [0]
*6. Things have been getting on top of me:
Yes, most of the time I haven't been able to cope at all [3]
Yes, sometimes I haven't been coping as well as usual [2]
No, most of the time I have coped quite well [1]
No, I have been coping as well as ever
*7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping:
Yes, most of the time [3]
Yes, sometimes [2]
Not very often [1]
No, not at all [0]
*8. I have felt sad or miserable:
Yes, most of the time [3]
Yes, quite often [2]
Not very often [1]
No, not at all [0]
*9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying:
Yes, most of the time [3]
Yes, quite often [2]
Only occasionally [1]
No, never [0]
10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me:
Yes, quite often [3]
Sometimes [2]
Hardly ever [1]
Never [0]
Mothers who score above 13 are likely to be suffering from a depressive illness of varying severity. The EPDS score should not override clinical judgment.
A careful clinical assessment should be carried out to confirm the diagnosis. The scale indicates how the mother has felt during the previous week.
In doubtful cases it may be useful to repeat the tool after 2 weeks.
The scale will not detect mothers with anxiety neuroses, phobias or personality disorders.
Women with postpartum depression need not feel alone. They may find useful information on the web sites from groups such as Postpartum Support International and Depression after Delivery .
How did you score in the assessment? Send us your comment to chatback@parent24.com.
