EPDS

Screen for postpartum (and antenatal) depression. Recommended by ACOG, AAP, and USPSTF.

Indication

Screen for postpartum (and antenatal) depression. Recommended by ACOG, AAP, and USPSTF.

Criteria

id: q1; label: 1. Able to laugh and see the funny side; type: options; options: value: 0; label: As much as always; value: 1; label: Not quite so much; value: 2; label: Definitely not so much; value: 3; label: Not at all
id: q2; label: 2. Looked forward with enjoyment; type: options; options: value: 0; label: As much as always; value: 1; label: Rather less; value: 2; label: Definitely less; value: 3; label: Hardly at all
id: q3; label: 3. Blamed myself unnecessarily; type: options; options: value: 0; label: No, never; value: 1; label: Not very often; value: 2; label: Yes, some of the time; value: 3; label: Yes, most of the time
id: q4; label: 4. Anxious or worried for no good reason; type: options; options: value: 0; label: No, not at all; value: 1; label: Hardly ever; value: 2; label: Yes, sometimes; value: 3; label: Yes, very often
id: q5; label: 5. Scared or panicky for no good reason; type: options; options: value: 0; label: No, not at all; value: 1; label: Hardly ever; value: 2; label: Yes, sometimes; value: 3; label: Yes, quite a lot
id: q6; label: 6. Things have been getting on top of me; type: options; options: value: 0; label: No, coping as well as ever; value: 1; label: Mostly coping; value: 2; label: Sometimes not coping; value: 3; label: No, not coping at all
id: q7; label: 7. Unhappy — difficulty sleeping; type: options; options: value: 0; label: No, not at all; value: 1; label: Not very often; value: 2; label: Yes, sometimes; value: 3; label: Yes, most of the time
id: q8; label: 8. Sad or miserable; type: options; options: value: 0; label: No, not at all; value: 1; label: Not very often; value: 2; label: Yes, quite often; value: 3; label: Yes, most of the time
id: q9; label: 9. Unhappy — crying; type: options; options: value: 0; label: No, never; value: 1; label: Only occasionally; value: 2; label: Yes, quite often; value: 3; label: Yes, most of the time
id: q10; label: 10. Thought of harming myself; type: options; options: value: 0; label: Never; value: 1; label: Hardly ever; value: 2; label: Sometimes; value: 3; label: Yes, quite often

Clinical pearls

EPDS ≥10 has sensitivity 86% and specificity 78% for major depression
Question 10 is the most critical item — never skip it
Validated in pregnancy (antenatal) as well as postpartum, and in multiple languages
Partners can also develop postpartum depression — consider screening them

Source and review

Cox JL et al. Br J Psychiatry 1987; ACOG Committee Opinion 2018. Last reviewed: 2025-01-01