Do you have postpartum depression? Answers to these 10 questions might help you find out

Developed in Scotland, and first released in 1987, the Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a simple 10-question multiple-choice postpartum depression screening tool used by some healthcare providers.

If you think that you might be suffering from postpartum depression, please share the results of the questionnaire with your healthcare provider.

Realize, though, that the EPDS is only a screening tool, and does not diagnose depression. Diagnosis can only be done by a licensed medical professional.

The Edinburgh postpartum depression questions

Choose the answer which comes closest to describing how you have felt in the past 7 days – not just how you feel today. (The higher the score, the more severe your symptoms.)

I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things

1. As much as I always could
2. Not quite so much now
3. Definitely not so much now
4. Not at all

I have looked forward with enjoyment to things

1. As much as I ever did
2. Rather less than I used to
3. Definitely less than I used to
4. Hardly at all

I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong

1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, some of the time
3. Not very often
4. No, never

I have been anxious or worried for no good reason

1. No, not at all
2. Hardly ever
3. Yes, sometimes
4. Yes, very often

I have felt scared or panicky for no good reason

1. Yes, quite a lot
2. Yes, sometimes
3. No, not much
4. No, not at all

Things have been getting on top of me

1. 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
3. No, most of the time I have coped quite well
4. No, I have been coping as well as ever

I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping

1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, some of the time
3. Not very often
4. No, not at all

I have felt sad or miserable

1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, some of the time
3. Not very often
4. No, not at all

I have been so unhappy that I have been crying

1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, quite often
3. Only occasionally
4. No, never

The thought of harming myself has occurred to me

1. Yes, quite often
2. Sometimes
3. Hardly ever
4. Never