π€± EPDS Postnatal Depression Test
The 10-question screen used worldwide after birth.
For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional.
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is 10 questions scored 0 to 30. 10 or more suggests possible depression; 13 or more suggests likely depression, and any score above 0 on question 10 (self-harm thoughts) needs same-day professional contact. Answer for the past 7 days, rather than only today.
How to Take This Test
The EPDS was designed by Cox, Holden, and Sagovsky in 1987 specifically for the postnatal period, because standard depression questionnaires confuse normal new-parent exhaustion with depression. Answer about the last week.
Answer all 10 questions about the past 7 days. Pick the answer closest to how you felt most of the time, rather than only your worst moment.
Your score totals automatically out of 30. Note the band: under 10, 10 to 12, or 13+.
Act on the band. 10+ means telling your clinician, midwife, or OB; 13+ means doing it promptly; any self-harm thoughts mean today, via your clinician, urgent care, or 988 in the US.
How EPDS Scoring Works
The reverse scoring is deliberate: it catches response patterns where someone ticks the same column all the way down. Questions 3 and 5 through 10 are worded so the most concerning answer sits at the top worth 3 points. Question 10 stands apart: any positive answer about self-harm triggers immediate follow-up regardless of the total, because a total of 6 with self-harm thoughts is more urgent than a 12 without. The scale deliberately skips physical symptoms like fatigue and appetite change, since every new parent has those; it focuses on mood, anxiety, guilt, and coping, which discriminate depression from exhaustion.
Worked Example
Consider answers: Q1 mostly laughing less (1), Q2 less enjoyment (2), Q3 blaming self sometimes (2), Q4 worried sometimes (2), Q5 panicky not much (1), Q6 coping mostly well (1), Q7 unhappy sleep not very often (1), Q8 sad not very often (1), Q9 crying occasionally (1), Q10 never (0). Total: 1+2+2+2+1+1+1+1+1+0 = 12, the "possible depression" band. The pattern matters as much as the number: anhedonia (Q1, Q2) plus guilt and anxiety with intact coping is the classic mild-to-moderate postnatal picture, very treatable, and exactly what the 10-point cutoff was calibrated to catch.
What Each Band Means
| Score | Band | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 9 | Below cutoffs | Routine care; recheck if feelings change |
| 10 - 12 | Possible depression | Discuss with clinician/midwife; consider counseling |
| 13 - 30 | Likely depression | Prompt clinical assessment and treatment plan |
| Q10 above 0 | Self-harm thoughts | Same-day professional contact, regardless of total |
Postnatal depression affects roughly 1 in 7 to 1 in 8 mothers, plus a meaningful share of fathers and partners, and it is highly treatable: counseling, peer support, and medication all work, and newer options like brexanolone exist for severe cases. The tragedy of postnatal depression was never lack of treatment; it was lack of detection, because exhaustion masks it and stigma silences it. A 13+ score is not a verdict on your parenting; it is a detectable, treatable medical condition that lifts with care. Partners should take the test too: paternal postnatal depression peaks around 3 to 6 months and is badly under-recognized. For related screening, our GAD-7 anxiety test separates the anxiety component, and our Epworth sleepiness scale helps distinguish depression-related sleep problems from plain sleep deprivation, which every new parent should also track with our sleep debt calculator.
Limits and Honest Use
The EPDS is a screening tool, not a diagnosis; only a clinician's assessment diagnoses depression. It can miss depression that presents mostly as irritability or rage, which is common postnatally, and it can over-score during the first two weeks when baby blues (which resolve on their own) peak. Cultural and language factors shift scores, so validated translations matter for non-native English speakers. If your score is low but you feel something is wrong, believe the feeling: the test is a net, not a judge. And if you scored high, know that effective help exists and that seeking it is the strong move, not the shameful one.
If You Need Help Now
In the US, call or text 988 any time for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. Postpartum Support International (1-800-944-4773) specializes in perinatal mood concerns with English and Spanish support. In the UK, call Samaritans at 116 123. These services are free, confidential, and used by thousands of new parents every week; you would not be an unusual caller.
EPDS During Pregnancy
Though built for the postnatal period, the EPDS is widely used in pregnancy, where depression affects roughly 1 in 10 women and predicts postnatal depression strongly. Scores run slightly higher in pregnancy because questions about anxiety and being overwhelmed catch normal third-trimester feelings, so some clinicians use a cutoff of 13 or even 15 antenatally. Treating antenatal depression matters for two: it improves birth outcomes and sharply lowers the risk of postnatal depression. If you are pregnant and score high, the same help pathways apply, with treatment choices adjusted for pregnancy safety in consultation with your OB.
For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a concerning EPDS score?
10 or more suggests possible depression and 13 or more suggests likely depression. Any score above 0 on question 10 (thoughts of self-harm) needs same-day professional contact regardless of the total.
Is the EPDS a diagnosis?
No. It is a screening instrument that flags who needs a full clinical assessment. A clinician confirms depression through interview and history. The EPDS is the metal detector, not the diagnosis.
When should I take the EPDS?
It is designed for the postnatal period and usually given at 6-8 weeks after birth, but it is valid any time in the first year postpartum. It can also be used during pregnancy with slightly adjusted interpretation.
Can fathers take the EPDS?
Yes. Paternal postnatal depression is real, affecting roughly 1 in 10 to 1 in 20 fathers, peaking around 3-6 months. The EPDS works for partners too, though it was originally validated in mothers.
What is the difference between baby blues and postnatal depression?
Baby blues affect up to 80% of mothers, peak around days 3-5, and resolve within two weeks. Postnatal depression is more severe, lasts longer, and impairs functioning. An EPDS taken after week 2 avoids confusing the two.
Does a high EPDS mean I need medication?
Not necessarily. Mild to moderate postnatal depression often responds to counseling, peer support, sleep protection, and practical help. Medication is one effective option among several; the choice is made with your clinician based on severity and your preferences.
Can I take the EPDS while pregnant?
Yes, with the understanding that it was validated postnatally. Antenatal depression is common and worth detecting; many providers use the EPDS in pregnancy too, sometimes with a slightly higher cutoff.
Why are some EPDS questions reverse scored?
To prevent response bias: if every question scored the top answer as 3, someone ticking down one column mindlessly would get a misleading total. Mixing the direction forces attention to each question.
How accurate is the EPDS?
At the 13-point cutoff, sensitivity and specificity are generally in the 80-90% range in validation studies. It is one of the best-validated perinatal screens available, used in dozens of countries and languages.
I scored low but still feel terrible. What now?
Trust how you feel over the number. The EPDS can miss presentations heavy on irritability or rage, and timing affects scores. Tell your clinician or midwife what you are experiencing regardless of the score.