The Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Sce (EPDS)

(J.L. Cox, J.M. Holden, R. Sagovsky, Department of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh)
 

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) was developed in 1987 to help doctors determine whether a mother may be suffering from postpartum depression. The scale has since been validated, and evidence from a number of research studies has confirmed the tool to be both reliable and sensitive in detecting depression. During the postpartum period, 10 to 15% of women develop significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. Unfortunately, many moms are never treated, and although they may be coping, their enjoyment of life and family dynamics may be seriously affected.

If you feel that you might be suffering from postpartum depression, it could be helpful to complete this interactive quiz and share the results with your health care provider.

Instructions: Please underline the answer which comes closest to how you have felt in the past 7 days - not just how you feel today.

 

Here is an example, already completed:

 

I have felt happy:

a. Yes, all the time
b. Yes, most of the time
c. No, not very often
d. No, not at all

This would mean "I have felt happy most of the time during the past week."

Please take a pen and paper and answer the following 10 questions by choosing the appropriate response. To score your test when you have finished, click on the link at the bottom of this page.

In the past 7 days:

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

a. As much as I always could
b. Not quite so much now
c. Definitely not so much now
d. Not at all

2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things -

a. As much as I ever did
b. Rather less than I used to
c. Definitely less than I used to
d. Hardly at all

3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong -

a. Yes, most of the time
b. Yes, some of the time
c. Not very often
d. No, never

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

a. No, not at all
b. Hardly ever
c. Yes, sometimes
d. Yes, very often

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

a. Yes, quite a lot
b. Yes, sometimes
c. No, not much
d. No, not at all

6. Things have been getting on top of me -

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

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

a. Yes, most of the time
b. Yes, some of the time
c. Not very often
d. No, not at all

8. I have felt sad or miserable -

a. Yes, most of the time
b. Yes, some of the time
c. Not very often
d. No, not at all

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

a. Yes, most of the time
b. Yes, quite often
c. Only occasionally
d. No, never

10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me -

a. Yes, quite often
b. Sometimes
c. Hardly ever
d. Never

 Score your results here