The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) is one of the most commonly-used screening tools for postpartum depression. In Canada for example, mothers are routinely offered the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale as a part of their 6-week postnatal visit to the public health clinic.(1-2)
If you are having a tough time coping, or if you are wondering about PPD symptoms, this simple 10-item questionnaire can be a helpful tool. You can easily complete and score it at home.
While the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale is NOT meant to provide an actual diagnosis for PPD (you still have to see your health care provider for that), it IS considered a very good indicator. (1-3) In other words, if you score high enough on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, there is a good likelihood that you ARE suffering from PPD. If this is the case, please go and talk to someone, get help, see your health care provider.
Print this page out to complete the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (you will find it directly below). Then, when you follow-up with your health care provider, he/she can see how you responded to the questionnaire. If your computer is not attached to a printer, just record your responses on a scrap piece of paper.
THE EDINBURGH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SCALE
(3)
As you are pregnant or have recently had a baby, we would like to know how you are feeling. Please indicate the answer that comes closest to how you have felt IN THE PAST 7 DAYS, not just how you feel today.
1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things
……….(0) As much as I always could
……….(1) Not quite as much as now
……….(2) Definitely not so much
……….(3) Not at all
2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things
……….(0) As much as I always could
……….(1) Rather less than I used to
……….(2) Definitely less than I used to
……….(3) Hardly at all
3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things go wrong
……….(3) Yes, most of the time
……….(2) Yes, some of the time
……….(1) Not very often
……….(0) No, never
4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason
……….(0) No, not at all
……….(1) Hardly ever
……….(2) Yes, sometimes
……….(3) Yes, very often
5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason
……….(3) Yes, quite a lot
……….(2) Yes, sometimes
……….(1) No, not much
……….(0) No, not at all
6. Things have been getting on top of me
……….(3) Yes, most of the time I haven’t been able to cope at all
……….(2) Yes, sometimes I haven’t been coping as well as usual
……….(1) No, most of the time I have coped quite well
……….(0) No, I have been coping as well as ever
7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping
……….(3) Yes, most of the time
……….(2) Yes, sometimes
……….(1) Not very often
……….(0) No, not at all
8. I have felt sad or miserable
……….(3) Yes, most of the time
……….(2) Yes, quite often
……….(1) Not very often
……….(0) No, not at all
9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying
……….(3) Yes, most of the time
……….(2) Yes, quite often
……….(1) Only occasionally
……….(0) No, never
10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me
……….(3) Yes, quite often
……….(2) Sometimes
……….(1) Hardly ever
……….(0) Never
……….ENTER YOUR TOTAL SCORE HERE: __________
SCORING THE EDINBURGH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SCALE
1. Once completed, add up all your responses to get your total score (the highest you can get is 30; the lowest is 0).
2. Interpret your Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale score:
…..A score of 0-10: If your score is 10 or less, you are considered to be in the “normal” range. This means you likely DON’T have postpartum depression. If you are feeling like you are struggling, consider your fatigue – could getting more rest and sleep help? If so, do whatever you need to do in order to make this a priority.
…..A score of 11 or 12: A score or 11 or 12 is something that health practitioners usually like to take a closer look at. It is considered a kind of “borderline” score for “probable” postpartum depression. If you are in this range, you might find it helpful to talk to your health care provider so that the two of you can dig a bit deeper into how you are feeling, figure out what exactly is going on, and talk about how best to help you get on track.
…..A score of 13 or higher: A score of 13 or higher suggests significant depression. Please see a health care provider. Your health care provider will be able to make the proper diagnosis about what’s going on with you. He/she can also get you pointed in the right direction regarding treatment options, available supports, etc.
…….Look at your score for item 10: Be sure you’ve answered item 10 of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale honestly. If you HAVE had thoughts of harming yourself, it is a good idea to follow-up with your health care provider right away. DO THIS EVEN IF YOUR TOTAL SCORE IS LOW.
What’s the difference between PPD and the postpartum blues? Click to find out.
Sources for this Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale article:
1. Adams, C. (1987) “The EPDS: Guidelines for its use as part of maternal mood assessment,” Community Practitioner 75:394-5.
2. Godderis, R., Adair, C., Brager, N. (2009). “Applying new techniques to an old ally: A qualitative validation study of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale,” Women and birth 22:17-23.
3. Cox, J.L., Holden, J.M. & Sagovsky, R. (1987) Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150, 782-786.
