EPDS
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
The standard screen for depression in pregnancy and after birth.
10
3 min
adult — perinatal / postnatal
0–30
About the EPDS
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a ten-item self-report questionnaire developed specifically to screen for depression during pregnancy and the postnatal period. It deliberately avoids somatic symptoms such as fatigue and sleep change that are normal in new parents and could otherwise inflate scores.
Each item is scored 0–3 over the past seven days, giving a total of 0 to 30. A cut-point of 13 or more is commonly used to identify probable depression, with lower thresholds (10–12) used to maximise sensitivity. Item 10 asks directly about self-harm and should always be reviewed individually.
What it measures
- Low mood, anhedonia, and inability to laugh or look forward to things
- Anxiety, worry, and panic
- Guilt, self-blame, and feeling overwhelmed
- Item 10 — thoughts of self-harm (always reviewed regardless of total)
EPDS questions
- 1
I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things
As much as I always could · Not quite so much now · Definitely not so much now · Not at all - 2
I have looked forward with enjoyment to things
As much as I ever did · Rather less than I used to · Definitely less than I used to · Hardly at all - 3
I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong
No, never · Not very often · Yes, some of the time · Yes, most of the time - 4
I have been anxious or worried for no good reason
No, not at all · Hardly ever · Yes, sometimes · Yes, very often - 5
I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason
No, not at all · No, not much · Yes, sometimes · Yes, quite a lot - 6
Things have been getting on top of me
No, I have been coping as well as ever · No, most of the time I have coped quite well · Yes, sometimes I haven’t been coping as well as usual · Yes, most of the time I haven’t been able to cope at all - 7
I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping
No, not at all · Not very often · Yes, sometimes · Yes, most of the time - 8
I have felt sad or miserable
No, not at all · Not very often · Yes, quite often · Yes, most of the time - 9
I have been so unhappy that I have been crying
No, never · Only occasionally · Yes, quite often · Yes, most of the time - 10
The thought of harming myself has occurred to me
Risk itemNever · Hardly ever · Sometimes · Yes, quite often
Items reproduced from a documented, freely usable source. Item wording is preserved exactly as published.
Scoring & interpretation
| Range | Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–9 | Below threshold | Below the screening cutoff for possible depression. |
| 10–12 | Possible depression | Score ≥10 — possible depression; consider clinical follow-up. |
| 13–30 | Probable depression | Score ≥13 — probable depression; clinical assessment recommended. |
Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Clinical applications
- Routine antenatal and postnatal depression screening
- Perinatal mental-health services and health-visitor reviews
- Monitoring perinatal mood over time
Strengths & considerations
- Validated for the perinatal period; not a diagnosis on its own.
- Always review item 10 (self-harm) individually, even when the total is below threshold.
Frequently asked questions
What EPDS score indicates postnatal depression?
A score of 13 or more commonly indicates probable depression; thresholds of 10–12 are used where higher sensitivity is preferred. A positive item 10 needs immediate follow-up.
Can the EPDS be used during pregnancy?
Yes. Although named "postnatal", the EPDS is validated for use throughout pregnancy as well as after birth.
Source & references
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