Postpartum Depression Screening Calculator
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scoring tool to screen for postpartum depression symptoms.
About this calculator
This calculator scores postpartum depression symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a widely used 10-item screening tool first developed and validated by Cox, Holden, and Sagovsky in a 1987 British Journal of Psychiatry study. Each question is scored 0 to 3, and EPDS Total Score is the simple sum of all ten (0-30 maximum) -- every question contributes exactly the same weight, so raising any single answer by one point always raises the Total Score by exactly one point, with no question counted more heavily than another. Risk Level classifies that total using the scale's published cutoffs: Low (below 10), Possible depression (10-12), or Likely depression (13 or higher).
Question 10 specifically screens for thoughts of self-harm, and Self-Harm Concern Flag is set to 1 the moment that question receives ANY score above zero -- independent of the Total Score or Risk Level, since even a single low-severity response to that specific question is treated by the EPDS as warranting immediate clinical follow-up. Anxiety Sub-Score sums the three anxiety-cluster questions (self-blame, anxious/worried, scared/panicky) while Anhedonia Sub-Score sums the two loss-of-pleasure questions (ability to laugh, looking forward to things). This is a validated screening instrument, not a diagnosis -- any positive score on Question 10, or a Total Score in the possible/likely range, should prompt a conversation with a healthcare provider.
Medical Disclaimer
This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of results from this tool.
Inputs
Results
EPDS Total Score
0
Figures current as of 1987. Source: Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry. 1987;150:782-786.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Q1: Ability to laugh, Q2: Looking forward to things, and Q3: Unnecessary self-blame.
- Set Q4: Anxious or worried, Q5: Scared or panicky, and Q6: Things getting on top of you.
- Adjust Q7: Difficulty sleeping (due to unhappiness), Q8: Feeling sad or miserable as needed.
- Review the EPDS Total Score result.
- Use Risk Level (0=Low, 1=Possible, 2=Likely) and Self-Harm Concern Flag to inform your decision.
What each input means
- Q1: Ability to laugh
- 0 = As much as always, 1 = Not quite so much, 2 = Definitely not so much, 3 = Not at all.
- Q2: Looking forward to things
- 0 = As much as ever, 1 = Rather less, 2 = Definitely less, 3 = Hardly at all.
- Q3: Unnecessary self-blame
- 0 = Never, 1 = Not very often, 2 = Yes sometimes, 3 = Yes most of the time.
- Q4: Anxious or worried
- 0 = Not at all, 1 = Hardly ever, 2 = Yes sometimes, 3 = Yes very often.
- Q5: Scared or panicky
- 0 = Not at all, 1 = Not much, 2 = Yes sometimes, 3 = Yes quite a lot.
- Q6: Things getting on top of you
- 0 = Coping as well as ever, 1 = Not quite, 2 = Sometimes not coping, 3 = Not coping at all.
- Q7: Difficulty sleeping (due to unhappiness)
- 0 = Not at all, 1 = Not very often, 2 = Yes sometimes, 3 = Yes most of the time.
- Q8: Feeling sad or miserable
- 0 = Not at all, 1 = Not very often, 2 = Yes quite often, 3 = Yes most of the time.
- Q9: Unhappy enough to cry
- 0 = Never, 1 = Only occasionally, 2 = Yes quite often, 3 = Yes most of the time.
- Q10: Thought of harming self
- 0 = Never, 1 = Hardly ever, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Yes quite often. ANY positive score requires immediate clinical follow-up.
What each result means
- EPDS Total Score
- Sum of all 10 questions (0-30). Scores >= 10 suggest possible depression; >= 13 likely depression.
- Risk Level (0=Low, 1=Possible, 2=Likely)
- 0 = Low risk (score < 10), 1 = Possible depression (10-12), 2 = Likely depression (>= 13).
- Self-Harm Concern Flag
- 1 if any positive score on Question 10 (self-harm ideation). Requires immediate clinical attention.
- Anxiety Sub-Score (Q3-Q5)
- Combined score for the anxiety-related questions (0-9).
- Anhedonia Sub-Score (Q1-Q2)
- Combined score for loss of pleasure questions (0-6).
- Severity Percentage
- Total score as a percentage of the maximum possible (30).
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersQ1: Ability to laugh = 0, Q2: Looking forward to things = 0, Q3: Unnecessary self-blame = 0, Q4: Anxious or worried = 0 = 10 input(s) provided
- Calculate EPDS Total ScoreEPDS Total Score0 = 0
- Calculate Risk LevelRisk Level0 = 0
- Calculate Self-Harm Concern FlagSelf-Harm Concern Flag0 = 0
Figures and sources
- Original Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) validation study (1987) — Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry. 1987;150:782-786.
Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators. Built by Paul Gunder, a software engineer, not a licensed financial, medical, or legal professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all ten EPDS questions count equally toward my Total Score?
Yes. Each of the ten questions is scored 0 to 3 and summed directly into EPDS Total Score with no weighting applied -- raising any single answer by one point always raises the Total Score by exactly one point, whether that question concerns sleep, mood, anxiety, or any of the other seven areas covered.
Why does Question 10 get flagged separately from my overall Risk Level?
Self-Harm Concern Flag is set to 1 the moment Question 10 (thoughts of harming yourself) receives ANY score above zero, completely independent of your Total Score or Risk Level -- even someone whose Total Score falls in the Low Risk range can trigger this flag, because thoughts of self-harm are treated by the EPDS as requiring immediate clinical attention regardless of overall symptom severity.
What do the Anxiety and Anhedonia sub-scores measure?
Anxiety Sub-Score sums three specific questions -- unnecessary self-blame, feeling anxious or worried, and feeling scared or panicky -- for a possible 0-9 points. Anhedonia Sub-Score sums two questions about loss of pleasure -- ability to laugh and looking forward to things -- for a possible 0-6 points. Both are subsets of the same ten questions that also make up the overall Total Score.
What does my Risk Level classification mean?
Risk Level uses the EPDS's published cutoffs: a Total Score below 10 classifies as Low risk, 10 to 12 as Possible depression, and 13 or higher as Likely depression. These thresholds come from the original 1987 validation study by Cox, Holden, and Sagovsky in the British Journal of Psychiatry, which introduced the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, but Risk Level is a screening classification, not a clinical diagnosis -- any score in the possible or likely range warrants follow-up with a healthcare provider.
Related Calculators
The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.
Breastfeeding Calorie Needs Calculator
Calculate additional daily calorie and nutrient needs during lactation based on body stats, activity, and breastfeeding intensity.
Womens HealthBirth Plan Comparison Calculator
Compare costs, suitability, and key metrics for hospital, birth center, and home birth options based on your insurance, risk level, and preferences.
Womens HealthPostpartum Recovery Timeline Calculator
Estimate recovery milestones after childbirth based on delivery type, complications, age, and fitness level.
Geriatric HealthGeriatric Depression Scale Calculator
GDS-15 depression screening for elderly with severity classification, treatment recommendations, and risk assessment.
Mental HealthPHQ-9 Depression Calculator
Score the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) to assess depression severity and guide treatment recommendations.
More in Health & Fitness.