About
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a clinical calculator used to screen for postnatal depression in women who have recently given birth. It is applicable to the postpartum population, typically within the first year after childbirth. The EPDS is a 10-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the severity of depressive symptoms, with a focus on the cognitive and affective features of depression rather than somatic symptoms. The clinical utility of the EPDS is to identify women who may be suffering from postnatal depression and who may benefit from further evaluation and treatment. It is not intended to diagnose depression, but rather to serve as an initial screening tool. The EPDS should not be used in isolation for diagnosis and should not replace clinical judgment. It is not suitable for use in women who are more than a year postpartum, or in those who have not recently given birth.