Table of Contents

Instructions:

As you are pregnant or have recently had a baby, we would like to know how you are feeling. Please check 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 so much now
	2	Definitely not so much now
	3	Not at all
2	I have looked forward with enjoyment to things
	0	As much as I ever did
	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 went 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

Description

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a short 10-item report designed to identify mothers for prenatal and and postnatal . Postpartum is the most common complication of childbearing and rates of help-seeking for postnatal are generally low, making important. The scale indicates how the mother has felt during the previous week. In doubtful cases it may be useful to repeat the tool after 2 weeks. The scale will not detect mothers with anxiety neuroses, or .

Validity and Reliability

After extensive pilot interviews, Cox, Holden and Sagovsjy (1987) carried out a validation study on 84 mothers using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for depressive illness obtained from Goldbergs Standardised Psychiatric Interview. The EPDS was found to have satisfactory and specificity, and was also sensitive to change in the severity of over time. Milgrom, Mendelsohn and Gemmill (2011) reviewed existing validation research for the EPDS and found that with the EPDS always facilitated an increase in rates, over the key of values. The EPDS defined a sub- with between 5-fold and 17-fold greater than the general . A central estimate of PPV (at a of 6.8%) was 62%.

Interpretation

Mothers who score 13 and above are likely to be from a depressive illness of varying severity. At a score of 13 there is an 80% chance that the mother has . Scores 13 and above represent an increased risk of developing of between 5 and 17 times the general compared to new mothers. The EPDS score should not override clinical . A careful clinical should be carried out to confirm the . Results consist of a total score as well as short interpretive text based on the cut off score of 13. It is important to always look at the ’s response to question 10, which pertains to suicidal thoughts.

Developer

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

Number Of Questions

References

Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J., Negri, L., & Glemmil, A. (2011). Screening for postnatal depression in routine primary care: Properties of the EPDS in an Australian sample. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 39, 833-839.

Developer Reference: