The Edinburgh Scale is well-known as a tool for new mothers to determine whether or they might have postpartum depression.

Are you thinking you might have postpartum depression (PPD)? Take this simple test and use the scoring system indicated below.

You should complete the test yourself. You are asked to check the answer that comes closest to how you have been feeling in the last 7 days.

In the last 7 days:

1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things:

1. As much as I always could
2. Not quite so much now
3. Definitely not so much now
4. Not at all

2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things:

1. As much as I ever did
2. Rather less than I used to
3. Definitely less than I used to
4. Hardly at all

*3. I have blamed myself unecessarily went wrong:

1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, some of the time
3. Not very often
4. No, never

4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason:

1. No, not at all
2. Hardly ever
3. Yes, sometimes
4. Yes, very often

*5. I have felt scared or panicky for no good reason:

1. Yes, quite a lot
2. Yes, sometimes
3. No, not much
4. No, not at all

*6. Things have been getting on top of me:

1. 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
3. No, most of the time I have coped quite well
4. No, I have been coping as well as ever

*7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping:

1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, sometimes
3. Not very often
4. Not at all

*8. I have felt sad or miserable:

1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, quite often
3. Not very often
4. No, not at all

*9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying:

1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, quite often
3. Only occasionally
4. No, never

*10. The thought is harming myself has occurred to me:

1. Yes, often
2. Sometimes
3. Hardly ever
4. Never

Scoring:

1,2 and 4 without an asterisk - answer number 1 is valued at 0 points; number 2 at 1, answer 3 at 2 and answer 4 at a value of 3 points.

3, 5-10 with an asterisk - answer number 1 is valued at 3 points, answer 2 is 2, answer 3 is 1 and answer number 4 is valued at 0 points.

Maximum Score - 30 points

Possible Depression = score of 10 or higher

If you have a score of 10 or higher, be sure to contact your medical provider as soon as possible. If you scored answer 1 to question 10, seek help immediately.

The complete series on PPD is listed below:

Part 1 - Risk Factors for PPD

Part 2 - Symptoms of PPD

Part 3 - PPD Self Test (Edinburgh Scale) - above

Part 4 - Causes of PPD

Part 5 - Help for PPD

Sources for Edinburgh Scale, directions and scoring:

Cox, J.L., Holden, J.M., and Sagovsky, R. 1987. Detection of postnatal depression: Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry 150:782-786.

K.L. Wisner, B.L. Parry, C.M. Piontek, Postpartum Depression N Eng J Med vol. 347, No. 3, July 18, 2002, 194-199.