Psychiatry

EPDS (Postnatal Depression)

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.

Education and reference only. Not a substitute for clinical judgement, local policy or product labelling. Always verify before clinical use. Values are calculated in your browser and never stored.

When to use

Use to screen for depression in the antenatal and postnatal period.

Why use

It is the most widely used perinatal depression screen.

1. Able to laugh and see the funny side

2. Looked forward to things with enjoyment

3. Blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong

4. Anxious or worried for no good reason

5. Scared or panicky for no good reason

6. Things have been getting on top of me

7. So unhappy I had difficulty sleeping

8. Felt sad or miserable

9. So unhappy I have been crying

10. Thought of harming myself

Critical actions

Any non-zero answer to item 10 (self-harm) requires immediate risk assessment, regardless of total score.

Evidence & references

Cox JL et al. Detection of postnatal depression: development of the EPDS. Br J Psychiatry. 1987.

About the creator

Cox JL et al.

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