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Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)

The EPDS is a 10-item self-report screen for perinatal depression scored 0–30 over the past 7 days. A score ≥10 suggests possible depression and ≥13 probable depression; any positive answer to item 10 (thoughts of self-harm) needs immediate assessment.

  • I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things: As much as I always could (0); Not quite so much now (1); Definitely not so much now (2); Not at all (3)
  • I have looked forward with enjoyment to things: As much as I ever did (0); Rather less than I used to (1); Definitely less than I used to (2); Hardly at all (3)
  • I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong: Yes, most of the time (3); Yes, some of the time (2); Not very often (1); No, never (0)
  • I have been anxious or worried for no good reason: No, not at all (0); Hardly ever (1); Yes, sometimes (2); Yes, very often (3)
  • I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason: Yes, quite a lot (3); Yes, sometimes (2); No, not much (1); No, not at all (0)
  • Things have been getting on top of me: Yes, most of the time I haven't been able to cope at all (3); Yes, sometimes I haven't been coping as well as usual (2); No, most of the time I have coped quite well (1); No, I have been coping as well as ever (0)
  • I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping: Yes, most of the time (3); Yes, sometimes (2); Not very often (1); No, not at all (0)
  • I have felt sad or miserable: Yes, most of the time (3); Yes, quite often (2); Not very often (1); No, not at all (0)
  • I have been so unhappy that I have been crying: Yes, most of the time (3); Yes, quite often (2); Only occasionally (1); No, never (0)
  • The thought of harming myself has occurred to me: Yes, quite often (3); Sometimes (2); Hardly ever (1); Never (0)
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Interpretation

ResultMeaning
0–9Depression unlikely
10–12Possible depression
≥ 13Probable depression
Item 10 > 0Immediate safety assessment

Formula

Ten items scored 0–3. Items 1, 2 and 4 score 0→3 in printed order; items 3 and 5–10 are reverse-scored (3→0). Range 0–30.

Clinical pearls

  • Validated in pregnancy and postpartum, and in fathers; cut-offs vary by language and setting (some use ≥11 or ≥12).
  • The EPDS is a screen, not a diagnosis; confirm with a clinical interview.

Examples

epds items 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 0Edinburgh postnatal depression score 6 weeks postpartum: laughing not quite so much, blamed herself most of the time, anxious very often, crying quite often, self harm hardly everpostpartum depression screen all zeros

FAQ

What EPDS score indicates postpartum depression?

A score of 13 or more indicates probable depression; 10–12 indicates possible depression needing assessment and rescreening.

Why is item 10 important?

Item 10 asks about thoughts of self-harm; any answer other than "never" requires an immediate safety assessment regardless of the total score.

Evidence

  1. Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatry 1987;150:782–6.

Psychiatry & Substance Use · Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Methodology