The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Edinburgh postnatal depression scale epds the epds was developed for screening postpartum women in outpatient home visiting settings or at the 6 8 week postpartum examination.
The edinburgh postnatal depression scale. The maximum score is 30. 2 the 10 question edinburgh postnatal depression scale epds is a valuable and effici ent way of identifying patients at risk for perinatal depression. Edinburgh postnatal depression scale 1 epds postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbearing. Edinburgh postnatal depression scale.
This 10 question self rating scale has been proven to be an efficient and effective way of identifying patients at risk for perinatal depression. 347 no 3 july 18 2002 194 199 users may reproduce the scale without further permission providing they respect copyright by quoting the names of the. It was developed to assist primary care health professionals to detect whether mothers are suffering from postnatal depression. Each answer is given a score of 0 to 3.
The edinburgh postnatal depression scale may be photocopied by individual researchers or clinicians for their own use without seeking permission from the publishers. The epds is a simple 10 item self report scale which reliably identifies women at high risk. Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbearing. British journal of psychiatry 150 782 786.
The edinburgh postnatal depression scale epds was developed to assist primary care health professionals in detecting mothers suffering from postpartum depression ppd. Postnatal depression it has become routine in the uk for health visitors to administer the edinburgh postnatal depression scale epds at two or three time points in the first 6 8 months of the postnatal period. A distressing disorder more prolonged than the blues which occur in the first week after delivery but less severe than puerperal psychosis. Piontek postpartum depression n engl j med vol.
The edinburgh postnatal depression scale epds was developed in scotland at health centers in livingston and edinburgh. Edinburgh postnatal depression scale. It has been utilized among numerous populations including u s.