Postnatal depression can be a serious condition that can result in harm to both the mother and infant.  It is the most common complication of childbearing.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) screens for this condition; and has also be used to screen for depression outside of the setting of the post-natal period.

10 questions are asked (the protocol is that this questionnaire should be filled out by the patient), each need to be answered by the patient without the input of others. 

10 Questions

"What statement comes closest to how you have been feeling in the previous 7 days (not just how you feel today)?"

1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things

• As much as I always could
• Not quite so much now
• Definitely not so much now
• Not at all

2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things

• As much as I ever did
• Rather less than I used to
• Definitely less than I used to
• Hardly at all

3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong

• Yes, most of the time
• Yes, some of the time
• Not very often
• No, never

4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason

• No, not at all
• Hardly ever
• Yes, sometimes
• Yes, very often

5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason

• Yes, quite a lot
• Yes, sometimes
• No, not much
• No, not at all

6. Things have been getting on top of me

• Yes, most of the time I haven't been able to cope at all
• Yes, sometimes I haven't been coping as well as usual
• No, most of the time I have coped quite well
• 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
• Yes, sometimes
• Not very often
• No, not at all

8. I have felt sad or miserable

• Yes, most of the time
• Yes, quite often
• Not very often
• No, not at all

9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying

• Yes, most of the time
• Yes, quite often
• Only occasionally
• No, never

10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me

• Yes, quite often
• Sometimes
• Hardly ever
• Never

Interpretation :

Each of the 10 questions is scored 0-3 points

Range = 0-30 points

The higher the score, the more likely depression is present

>13 = Very likely to have depression

>=10 = Possible depression

*Special attention should be paid to response to question 10 on suicidal thoughts

**This scale's results should not override clinical decision making and is to be utilized as a screening tool

Questions 1,2, & 4 are scored with the top answer getting 0 points and the bottom answer getting 3 points.  Questions 3, & 5-10 are scored with the top answer getting 3 points and the bottom item getting 0 points.

Reference:

Cox JL, et al. Detection of Postnatal Depression: Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry. 1987;150:782-86.

Wisner KL, et al. Postpartum Depression. NEJM July 18 2002;347(3):194-9.