Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)

Instructions: Check the response that comes closest to how you have been feeling in the past 7 days, not just how you feel today. Please complete all 10 items.

I have been able to laugh & 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

I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong.

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

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

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

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

I have been anxious or worried for no good reason.

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

Things have been getting on top of me.

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

I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping.

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

I have been so unhappy that I have been crying.

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

I have felt sad or miserable.

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

The thought of harming myself has occurred to me.

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

Score:

Scoring:The EPDS may be used at 6-8 weeks postpartum as a screening tool for Postpartum Depression (PPD). Categories are scored 0, 1, 2, and 3 according to increasing severity of symptoms. The total score is the sum of all 10 categories. Sensitivity = 86%; Specificity = 78%

• 0-8 points = low probability of depression
• 8-12 points = most likely just dealing with life with a new baby/baby blues
• 13-14 points = signs leading to the possibility of PPD; take preventative measures
• 15 + points = high probability of experiencing clinical PPD; take preventative measures

Source: Cox JL, Holden JM & Sagovsky R (1987).