Postnatal Depression Test (EPDS)
The transition to parenthood brings significant emotional, physical, and psychological changes. While many new parents experience mood fluctuations, persistent sadness, anxiety, guilt, or emotional overwhelm may indicate postnatal depression.
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a brief self-report screening tool developed to identify symptoms of depression and anxiety during the postnatal period. It is widely used in primary care, obstetrics, midwifery, and mental health settings worldwide.
For each of the following statements, select the answer that comes closest to how you have felt in the past week.
Question 1 of 10
In the past 7 days, I have...
...felt sad or miserable.
NEXT
About the EPDS
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was developed in 1987 by John Cox, Jeni Holden, and Ruth Sagovsky to provide a simple, reliable way of identifying women who may be experiencing postnatal depression. Created for use in both community and clinical settings, the EPDS was designed to be brief, easy to administer, and sensitive to the emotional challenges that can arise after childbirth. Since its introduction, it has been extensively researched and validated across diverse cultural, linguistic, and healthcare contexts worldwide. It is now one of the most widely used screening tools for postnatal depression globally.
Unlike many general depression scales, the EPDS was carefully structured to avoid focusing on physical symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disruption, or appetite changes. These experiences are extremely common in the postnatal period and may reflect the normal demands of caring for a newborn rather than a depressive disorder. By excluding primarily physical symptoms, the EPDS instead concentrates on the emotional and cognitive aspects of depression and anxiety, helping clinicians distinguish between typical postpartum adjustment and more concerning psychological distress.
The questionnaire consists of 10 self-report items. Each item asks the mother to reflect on how she has felt over the previous seven days. Responses are scored on a four-point scale, allowing healthcare providers to assess the severity of symptoms and determine whether further evaluation may be appropriate.
What the EPDS Measures
The EPDS assesses several core emotional experiences associated with postnatal depression and anxiety, including:
- Low mood and persistent sadness
- Loss of enjoyment or inability to experience pleasure
- Self-blame and excessive guilt
- Anxiety, worry, and panic
- Feelings of being overwhelmed or unable to cope
- Sleep disturbance specifically related to unhappiness
- Tearfulness or frequent crying
- Thoughts of self-harm
Importantly, the EPDS is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool. A higher score does not automatically mean a person has postnatal depression. Instead, it indicates that additional professional assessment may be beneficial. Screening allows healthcare providers to identify individuals who might otherwise struggle in silence and ensures that support can be offered early.
The EPDS can also help open conversations about emotional wellbeing during the perinatal period. Many parents feel pressure to appear happy after the birth of a baby, which can make it difficult to talk about distressing thoughts or feelings. The structured format of the EPDS provides a non-judgmental way to begin discussing mental health concerns.
Important Safety Note
If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or if you are experiencing hallucinations, severe confusion, or a loss of contact with reality, seek immediate medical care. Contact your doctor, midwife, emergency services, or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
This screening tool does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are concerned about your mental health, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional as soon as possible.
References
- Cox, J. L., Holden, J. M., & Sagovsky, R. (1987). Detection of postnatal depression: Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150(6), 782–786. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.150.6.782
- Murray, D., & Cox, J. L. (1990). Screening for depression during pregnancy with the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS). Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 8(2), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646839008403615
- Harris, B., Huckle, P., Thomas, R., Johns, S., & Fung, H. (1989). The use of rating scales to identify post-natal depression. British Journal of Psychiatry, 154(6), 813–817. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.154.6.813
- Cox, J. L., Chapman, G., Murray, D., & Jones, P. (1996). Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in non-postnatal women. Journal of Affective Disorders, 39(3), 185–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(96)00008-0
Why Use This Test?
1. Brief. Takes only a few minutes to complete.
2. Clinically validated. Used globally in postnatal care settings.
3. Focused. Designed specifically for the postpartum period.
4. Early detection. Helps identify when additional support may be helpful.