Up to one in seven women experience depression in pregnancy or the year after birth. The EPDS was developed in Edinburgh in 1987 and is recommended worldwide for routine screening; it can also be used by partners.
How to use the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Calculator
- 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 that I have had difficulty sleeping
- 8. I have felt sad or miserable
- 9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying
- 10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Each answer carries the points shown in the published score. The calculator adds them up and maps the total to the published interpretation.
Scoring table
| Item | Answers and points |
|---|---|
| 1. 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 |
| 2. 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 |
| 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 |
| 4. 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 |
| 5. 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 |
| 6. 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 |
| 7. 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 |
| 8. 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 |
| 9. 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 |
| 10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me | Yes, quite often = 3; Sometimes = 2; Hardly ever = 1; Never = 0 |
Tips
- Answer based on the last two weeks, as the questionnaires ask.
- Screening scores are a starting point for a conversation with a professional.
- Repeat the questionnaire every few weeks to track change.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact a crisis line or emergency services now.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating a screening score as a diagnosis.
- Answering for how you want to feel rather than how you have felt.
- Waiting for a “high enough” score before asking for help.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| 1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things | Choose one: As much as I always could, Not quite so much now, Definitely not so much now, Not at all |
| 2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things | Choose one: As much as I ever did, Rather less than I used to, Definitely less than I used to, Hardly at all |
| 3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong | Choose one: Yes, most of the time, Yes, some of the time, Not very often, No, never |
| 4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason | Choose one: No, not at all, Hardly ever, Yes, sometimes, Yes, very often |
| 5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason | Choose one: Yes, quite a lot, Yes, sometimes, No, not much, No, not at all |
| 6. Things have been getting on top of me | Choose one: Yes, most of the time I haven’t been able to cope at all, Yes, sometimes I haven’t been coping as well as usual, No, most of the time I have coped quite well, No, I have been coping as well as ever |
| 7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping | Choose one: Yes, most of the time, Yes, sometimes, Not very often, No, not at all |
| 8. I have felt sad or miserable | Choose one: Yes, most of the time, Yes, quite often, Not very often, No, not at all |
| 9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying | Choose one: Yes, most of the time, Yes, quite often, Only occasionally, No, never |
| 10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me | Choose one: Yes, quite often, Sometimes, Hardly ever, Never |
Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Formula
Score = sum of the points for each item
Worked example
Inputs — 1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things: As much as I always could; 2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things: As much as I ever did; 3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong: Not very often; 4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason: Hardly ever; 5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason: No, not at all; 6. Things have been getting on top of me: No, I have been coping as well as ever; 7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping: No, not at all; 8. I have felt sad or miserable: No, not at all; 9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying: No, never; 10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me: Never.
Results — EPDS score = 2 / 30; Interpretation = Depression unlikely; Thoughts of self-harm (question 10) = None reported.
Key terms
- Postnatal (postpartum) depression
- Depression in the year after childbirth.
Frequently asked questions
What EPDS score suggests depression?
13 or more suggests probable depression; 10–12 possible depression.
When should the EPDS be done?
At least once in pregnancy and again after birth, commonly at 6–8 weeks.
What if I scored on question 10?
Please seek help today – postnatal depression is common and treatable.