Toolkit / Perinatal

EPDS: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Self-report, 10 items, scored 0–30, about 5 minutes

Ten-item self-report screen for depression after childbirth, also validated in pregnancy. Avoids somatic items such as tiredness and sleep, which are common in the postnatal period anyway.

Patient details for the printout optional · never saved or sent

Left blank, these print as lines to fill in by pen.

As you have recently had a baby, we would like to know how you are feeling. Please choose the answer that comes closest to how you have felt in the past 7 days, not just how you feel today. (Several items are reverse-scored, so the points are shown beside each answer.)

  1. 1I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things
  2. 2I have looked forward with enjoyment to things
  3. 3I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong
  4. 4I have been anxious or worried for no good reason
  5. 5I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason
  6. 6Things have been getting on top of me
  7. 7I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping
  8. 8I have felt sad or miserable
  9. 9I have been so unhappy that I have been crying
  10. 10The thought of harming myself has occurred to me

    Item 10 is positive. Ask directly about thoughts of self-harm (and of harm to the baby), and complete a risk assessment the same day regardless of the total score.

Interpreting the total

0–9Depression unlikely
10–12Possible depression — repeat and assess
13–30Probable depression — full assessment

Notes

  • In the original validation, a total of 13 or more identified probable major depression; a lower cut-off of 10 or more is often used in screening so that fewer cases are missed.
  • The EPDS is a screen, not a diagnosis. A high score calls for a clinical assessment; a low score does not override clinical concern.
  • EPDS-3A (items 3, 4 and 5, scored 0–9) is an anxiety subscale; 6 or more suggests clinically significant anxiety in mothers (4 or more has been suggested for fathers).
  • Validated translations exist in many Indian languages; use a validated version where possible.

References

  1. Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatry. 1987;150:782–786.
  2. Matthey S. Using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to screen for anxiety disorders. Depress Anxiety. 2008;25(11):926–931.

© 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists. The scale may be reproduced without further permission provided the authors, title and source (Cox, Holden & Sagovsky, Br J Psychiatry 1987;150:782–786) are quoted in all copies.

An educational aid for clinicians, not a substitute for clinical judgement. Scores support, but never replace, a full assessment. Your answers on this page are never stored or sent.

Spotted an error in this scale?

Please don’t include any patient details.