The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a
10-item questionnaire that was developed to identify women who have Postpartum Depression
(PPD).
Items of the scale
correspond to various clinical depression symptoms, such as guilt feeling,
sleep disturbance, low energy, anhedonia, and suicidal ideation. Overall
assessment is done by total score, which is determined by adding together the
scores for each of the 10 items. Higher scores indicate more depressive
symptoms. The EPDS may be used within 8 weeks postpartum and it also can be
applied for depression screening during pregnancy.
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, developed by
Scottish health centers in Edinburgh and Livingston, is a widely used
depression screening tool, which has been adapted and validated in many
languages.
What is Postnatal
Depression?
Postpartum
depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a type of clinical
depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, typically after
childbirth. Studies report prevalence rates among women from 5% to 25%, but
methodological differences among the studies make the actual prevalence rate
unclear. Among men, in particular new fathers, the incidence of postpartum depression
has been estimated to be between 1% and 25.5%. Symptoms include sadness,
fatigue, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, reduced libido, crying
episodes, anxiety, and irritability. Although a number of risk factors have
been identified, the causes of PPD are not well understood. Many women recover
with a treatment consisting of a support group or counseling.
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
This 10-question self-rating scale has been proven to be
an efficient and effective way of identifying patients at risk for “perinatal”
depression. While this test was specifically designed for women who are
pregnant or have just had a baby, it has also been shown to be an effective
measure for general depression in the larger population.
Please select the answer that comes closest to how you
have felt in the past 7 days:
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.
* Yes, most of the
time
* Yes, some of the
time
* Not very often
* No, never
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.
* Yes, quite a lot
* Yes, sometimes
* No, not much
* No, not at all
6. Things have been getting on top of me.
* Yes, most of the
time I haven’t been able to cope at all
* Yes, sometimes I
haven’t been coping as well as usual
* No, most of the
time I have coped quite well
* No, I have been
coping as well as ever
7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty
sleeping.
* Yes, most of the
time
* Yes, sometimes
* Not very often
* No, not at all
8. I have felt sad or miserable.
* Yes, most of the
time
* Yes, sometimes
* Not very often
* No, not at all
9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying.
* Yes, most of the
time
* Yes, quite often
* Only
occasionally
* No, never
10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me.
* Yes, quite often
* Sometimes
* Hardly ever
* Never
Scoring
* The answers for questions
1, 2, and 4 are scored 0, 1, 2 or 3 with top box scored as
0 and the bottom box scored as 3.
* The answers for questions 3, and from 5 to
10 are reverse scored, with the top box scored as a 3 and the bottom box
scored as 0.
The maximum score: 30
0 – 8 points: Low probability of depression
8 – 12 points: most likely just dealing w/ a new baby or
the baby blues.
13 – 14 points: signs leading to possibility of PPD; take
preventative measures.
15 + points: High probability of experiencing clinical
depression.
Always look with elevated care at the item 10 (suicidal
thoughts).
Results
Mothers who score above 13 are likely to be suffering
from a depressive illness of varying severity. The EPDS score should not
override clinical judgment. A careful clinical assessment should be carried out
to confirm the diagnosis. 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, phobias or personality disorders.
Applications
If you prefer to use your smart gadgets, you can install
and fill this questionnaire through mobile phone application.
There are three iPhone apps that include the Edinburgh
Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS):
* NovoPsych
* SadScale
* Mediquations
(available for iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad and for Android as well).
Sources and
Additional Information:
