Postpartum Depression Scale, Postpartum Depression Screening

This postpartum depression scale can be very helpful as postpartum depression is a serious mental illness that affects up to 1-in-8 new mothers. It's important to be screened for postpartum depression any time mood disturbances are severe or last longer than two weeks after birth. Postpartum depression can harm both the mother and the child, so early intervention is the key to a complete recovery.

Postpartum Depression Screening

Only a medical professional can do a true postpartum depression screening; however, filling out the postpartum depression quiz below can provide a general likelihood that problems with postpartum depression exist. This quiz will be scored and assessed on a postpartum depression scale. Most women complete the quiz within 10 minutes.

(More information about: Postpartum Depression Signs and Causes of and Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression)

Postpartum Depression Scale Instructions

Below is the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) taken from the British Journal of Psychiatry June, 1987, Vol. 150 by J.L. Cox, J.M. Holden, R. Sagovsky.

To find out where you fall on the postpartum depression scale, follow these instructions:

1. Note each response which comes closest to how you have felt in the last seven days.
2. Complete all 10 questions.
3. Complete the quiz by yourself and do not discuss it, or your responses, with anyone else.
4. This postpartum depression quiz is designed to be taken between 6 – 8 weeks after childbirth and may be taken a second time two weeks later for confirmation of the postpartum depression score.

Postpartum Depression Quiz

Please note the answer which 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.

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 not very 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 al

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, sometimes

c) Not very often

d) No, not at all

8. I have felt sad or miserable.

a) Yes, most of the time

b) Yes, quite often

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

Postpartum Depression Quiz Scoring

To score the postpartum depression quiz, add the values for each selected response. The total is used for the postpartum depression scale rating.

Scoring for questions #1, #2 and #4 are:

a) 0

b) 1

c) 2

d) 3

Scoring for questions #3, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9 and #10 are:

a) 3

b) 2

c) 1

d) 0

Postpartum Depression Scale

A result of 10 or greater on the postpartum depression scale indicates the likelihood of postpartum depression; however, this does not indicate the severity.¹ If you scored 10 or more on the postpartum depression screening quiz, or if you have any concern you may have postpartum depression, it's recommended you see a health care professional as soon as possible.

Read more comprehensive information about Postpartum Depression Treatment.

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