As you are pregnant or have recently had a baby, we would like to know how you are feeling. Please underline the answer that comes closest to how you have felt IN THE PAST 7 DAYS, not just how you feel today.
In the past 7 days:
1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things
2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things
*3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong
4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason
*5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason
*6. Things have been getting on top of me
*7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping
*8. I have felt sad or miserable
*9 I have been so unhappy that I have been crying
*10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me
The EPDS is only a screening tool. It does not diagnose depression; for that, you need to see a licensed health care professional. Responses are scored 0, 1, 2, or 3 according to increased severity of the symptom. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are reverse scored (i.e., 3, 2, 1, and 0). The total score is determined by adding together the scores for each of the 10 items. If you score 9 or more points or indicate any suicidal thoughts — that is, you score 1 or higher on question 10 — you should immediately follow up with your doctor. If you score less than 9, but still exhibit symptoms of depression or feel like something isn’t right, don't hesitate or assume things will “just get better” — put in a call to your ob/gyn right away. Your provider can work with you — or refer you to someone who can — to put you on the road to being the healthiest mom you can be.
Published June 26, 2012.
Jen Lazuta recently earned her Master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism and is a Chicago-based freelance writer.
Additional reporting by Lora Shinn.
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