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PPND Assessment

The following assessment will help you determine whether you might have PPND. It’s called the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale – or the EPDS, for short. It is the most widely used assessment for postpartum depression and anxiety. It has been tested and found effective with men.

We recommend that you print out this page and circle your answers. If you prefer, you can CLICK HERE to download the complete self-assessment, with instructions and scoring.

INSTRUCTIONS: Please circle the number of the answer that comes closest to how you have felt in the past week – not just how you feel today.

1. In the past week I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things:
0. As much as I always could
1. Not quite so much now
2. Definitely not so much now
3. Not at all
2. In the past week I have looked forward with enjoyment to things:
0. As much as I ever did
1. Rather less than I used to
2. Definitely less than I used to
3. Hardly at all
3. In the past week I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong:
3. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, some of the time
1. Not very often
0. No, never
4. In the past week I have been anxious or worried for no good reason:
0. No, not at all
1. Hardly ever
2. Yes, sometimes
3. Yes, very often
5. In the last week I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason:
3. Yes, quite a lot
2. Yes, sometimes
1. No, not much
0. No, not at all
6. In the past week things have been getting on top of me:
3. Yes, most of the time I haven’t been able to cope at all
2. Yes, sometimes I haven’t been coping as well as usual
1. No, most of the time I have coped quite well
0. No, I have been coping as well as ever
7. In the past week I have been so unhappy that I have difficulty sleeping:
3. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, sometimes
1. Not very often
0. No, not at all
8. In the past week I have felt sad or miserable:
3. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, quite often
1. Not very often
0. No, not at all
9. In the past week I have been so unhappy that I have been crying:
3. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, quite often
1. Only occasionally
0. No, never
10. In the past week the thought of harming myself has occurred to me:
3. Yes, quite often
2. Sometimes
1. Hardly ever
0. Never

How To Complete Your Assessment

After you’ve answered each of the 10 questions, add together the numbers from each of your responses.

If the total number is 5 to 8, it is likely that you have an anxiety disorder. If the total number is 9 to 10 or more, it is likely that you have depression.

If the total number is five or more, further assessment by a licensed mental health professional is recommended. If any number other than “0” is circled for question 10, you should contact a mental health professional immediately.

The EPDS is an assessment tool and should not take the place of clinical judgment. A comprehensive clinical assessment by a licensed mental health professional should confirm your findings.

An Important Word About The EPDS and Women

If there’s a chance that your partner is depressed, it’s important that she complete the EPDS as well. However, the instructions for completing the EPDS are different for women and men. Please suggest to your partner that she go to The Postpartum Stress Center online (www.postpartumstress.com) to obtain a copy of the EPDS, with specific instructions for women.

“Talk therapy” – or psychotherapy or counseling – is a proven effective way to reduce depression, and to feel better about yourself and your life.

Are you looking for a counselor, psychologist or
psychotherapist, or counseling and psychotherapy services for depression? Click here for the contact page.

For a free phone consultation or to contact Dr. Courtenay directly,
phone – or text – 415-346-6719 or email him at

5835 College Avenue, Suite D, Oakland, California 94618
In the Rockridge District, serving Oakland, Berkeley, the greater East Bay
and the San Francisco Bay Area. For directions, click here.

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