Latest Updated 17 March 2026
Anxiety Scale
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please seek help immediately.
Contact your GP, midwife, or mental health team. In an emergency, call 999 or NHS 111. You can also call Samaritans any time on 116 123 — free, 24 hours a day.
Your score suggests possible postnatal depression. Please speak with your GP, midwife, or a perinatal mental health professional as soon as possible.
Postnatal depression can affect all parents; including mothers, fathers, and adoptive or non-birth parents. Anyone who is finding things difficult after a baby can use the EPDS for postnatal depression help and early access to the right care.
The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) identifies possible postnatal depression symptoms and anxiety in new parents. The EPDS score helps highlight whether someone may benefit from further support or assessment and is not used to make a diagnosis.
Symptoms are unlikely to affect daily life. Continue monitoring and self-care where needed.
Possible mild postnatal depression symptoms. Consider talking to a healthcare professional or accessing postnatal depression counselling.
Symptoms may affect well-being and family life. Seeking postnatal depression help from your GP or mental health service is advised.
High likelihood of clinical depression; urgent review is necessary. Speak to your GP, midwife, or mental health team immediately. If thoughts of self-harm are present, use urgent support resources.
The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale is intended for monitoring, not for a formal diagnosis, follow-up with a qualified professional is always recommended for any concerning score. Repeating the test over time or whenever symptoms change can provide helpful insights and prompt timely postnatal depression support.
Using the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale helps catch postnatal depression symptoms early and supports the well-being of families. Around 1 in 10 parents may need help with postnatal depression, and early screening with this postnatal depression test can lead to better recovery and access to postnatal depression counselling. The condition is treatable; prompt use of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale makes a positive difference for parents and children.
The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. An EPDS score highlights possible postnatal depression symptoms but always needs a professional’s input for next steps. Repeat the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale if your mood changes, and seek postnatal depression help or postnatal depression counselling whenever you have concerns. Use this postnatal depression test alongside advice from your healthcare provider, not as a substitute for it.
If your Edinburgh postnatal depression scale score is high or you have thoughts of self-harm, get help straight away. Speak to your GP, midwife, or health visitor for urgent postnatal depression help. National UK helplines include:
NHS Support
NHS Mental Health Services
Samaritans
116 123 (free, 24/7)
PANDAS Foundation
0808 196 1776
Mind
0300 123 3393
APNI
020 7386 0868
Local support groups and talking therapies (CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic, MBCT, Narrative Therapy) are also available through Therachange and NHS organisations specialising in postnatal depression counselling. Always use the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale as a prompt to reach out for the help you deserve.
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The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale is a 10-question postnatal depression test completed by parents during or after pregnancy. Questions focus on mood, anxiety and self-harm thoughts over the past week. Responses create an EPDS score which flags possible postnatal depression symptoms and guides next steps for help.
Any parent or carer worried about their mood after childbirth can use the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale for postnatal depression help. It’s commonly used at least once after birth, often at 6–12 weeks, and repeated when symptoms change.
A high EPDS score means you may need further assessment and support for postnatal depression symptoms. Your healthcare team can offer advice, postnatal depression counselling, and specialist mental health referrals.
Results from the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale are treated confidentially by NHS and healthcare providers. Only professionals directly involved in your care will see your EPDS score or postnatal depression test answers, ensuring privacy and support.
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