Postpartum depression test: the Edinburgh scale

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is the ten-question screening questionnaire midwives and doctors use. Answer about the past seven days, not just today. It is a screening, not a diagnosis: a high score means talk to someone, a low score does not mean you are fine if you do not feel fine.

General information for education, not medical advice and not a diagnosis. Nothing you enter is stored. If something feels wrong, call your midwife, doctor or local emergency number.

Your answers stay on this page. Nothing is sent or stored.

In the past 7 days…

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

  2. 2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things

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

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

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

  6. 6. Things have been getting on top of me

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

  8. 8. I have felt sad or miserable

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

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

0/10 · Answer all ten questions to see your score.

Cox, J.L., Holden, J.M., and Sagovsky, R. 1987. Detection of postnatal depression: Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry 150:782-786. Reproduced with that citation, as the authors permit.

How this works

Each answer scores 0 to 3; items 3 and 5 to 10 are scored in reverse. The total runs from 0 to 30. The conventional cut-offs are 10 for possible and 13 for likely depression; any answer other than "never" to the last question is flagged on its own, whatever the total. The scale is also used in pregnancy and for anxiety, and it does not replace a conversation with a clinician.

Common questions

What is a normal EPDS score?

Under 10 is read as depression unlikely. 10 to 12 is possible, 13 or more is likely. Scores are a screen, not a diagnosis: a clinician makes that, with the score as one input.

Is it baby blues or postpartum depression?

Baby blues peak around day three to five and lift within two weeks. Low mood, anxiety or hopelessness that is still there after two weeks, or that is getting deeper, is the pattern to raise with someone — and this scale is designed for exactly that.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes. Clinics often repeat it a few weeks apart. A score that is rising is worth a conversation even if it is still under 10.

Sources

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