Uticopa Blog

Rather like home pregnancy-detector kits, a new on-line PND awareness kit has been developed, based on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, first published in the British Journal of Psychiatry in 1987. So, there's now a way for you to find out whether what you are experiencing are actual PND symptoms - and in the comfort of your own home.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a set of questions designed to see if a new mother may have depression. The answers will not provide a diagnosis - for that you need to see a doctor or other health professional. The answers will tell you however, if you, or someone you know, has symptoms that are common in women with PND. As with all illnesses, if you have concerns that you, or someone you know, has PND, please consult a health professional.

Here is the questionnaire:
To complete this set of questions, mothers should mark the number next to the response which comes closest to how they have felt IN THE PAST 7 DAYS.

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping.

• 3 Yes, most of the time
• 2 Yes, sometimes
• 1 Not very often
• 0 No, not at all

8. 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. 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. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me.

• 3 Yes, quite often
• 2 Sometimes
• 1 Hardly ever
• 0 Never

The total score is calculated by adding together the numbers you circled for each of the 10 items. The higher the score, the more likely it is that the person completing the questionnaire is distressed and may be depressed.

Scores provide only a rough guide as to whether a woman has postnatal depression. For a full diagnosis, it is important to see a doctor.

For many women who have scored highly in the above questionnaire, not only will you want to know what you can do about it, but also what caused it.
More next time.....