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Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score Calculator

Many health visitors use the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS) as a screening method for depression in the post natal period, see related article on Postnatal Depression.1

  • This is a self-report questionnaire which is both easy to complete and acceptable to the mother.
  • Evidence from a number of research studies has confirmed the tool to be both reliable and sensitive in detecting depression and it has been validated for use in the community.1,2,3
  • New mothers usually complete it 6-8 weeks post partum.
  • A score of 11-12/30 has a sensitivity of 76.7% and specificity of 92.5% for depression.
  • It should be confirmed by interview and mental state examination.

To use calculator, click on appropriate answer and score appears in box when all questions completed.

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS)
Ask patient how they have been feeling OVER THE LAST 7 DAYS, not just today.
1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things
2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things
3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong
4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason
5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason
6. Things have been getting on top of me
7. I have been so unhappy, I have had difficulty sleeping
8. I have felt sad and miserable
9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying
10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score = /30
Scores of 10 or less are considered normal. Scores of 13 or more suggest significant depression.


Document 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 Jun;150:782-6. [abstract]
  2. Warner R, Appleby L, Whitton A, et al; Demographic and obstetric risk factors for postnatal psychiatric morbidity. Br J Psychiatry. 1996 May;168(5):607-11. [abstract]
  3. Murray L, Carothers AD; The validation of the Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale on a community sample. Br J Psychiatry. 1990 Aug;157:288-90. [abstract]
Acknowledgements EMIS is grateful to Dr Huw Thomas for writing this article. The final copy has passed scrutiny by the independent Mentor GP reviewing team. ©EMIS 2008.
DocID: 2642
Document Version: 20
DocRef: bgp2172
Last Updated: 9 Oct 2008
Review Date: 9 Oct 2010
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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