Edinburgh postpartum depression scale

The scale asks about recent experiences, including sadness, pleasure, anxiety, self-blame, sleep, and coping. It is a screening measure rather than a diagnosis. A clinician needs to discuss the responses with you and consider physical recovery, sleep disruption, relationships, practical pressures, and previous mental-health experiences.

Postnatal depression can affect motivation, concentration, confidence, appetite, bonding, and everyday tasks. Low mood after birth may be one sign, while low sex drive can reflect emotional strain, hormonal changes, pain, or tiredness. These experiences deserve a conversation rather than a label based on one answer.

Take time to answer each item as it relates to your recent experience. Tell the health professional about symptoms the scale does not cover, including intrusive thoughts, panic, physical pain, or feeling unsafe. Depending on the discussion, next steps may include repeat review, talking therapy, practical support, medication, or perinatal mental health support. You can ask for help regardless of the score.

Seek immediate help for suicidal thoughts, thoughts of harming your baby, inability to care for basic needs, severe confusion, or hearing or seeing things that others do not. Contact emergency services or urgent mental-health care and ask a trusted person to stay with you. Do not wait for routine follow-up.

Ask what your responses mean in context, whether you need a diagnostic assessment, what support is available, how treatment may fit feeding plans, and when your next review should happen.