Signs of Baby blues vs postpartum depression
Wondering how to know if I have postnatal depression? You’ve just birthed a human, your whole world has been turned upside down, and you haven’t slept for what feels like an age. That’s enough to make anyone wonder if they’re going mad. But when does having a spot of baby blues become postpartum depression? The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a Postnatal depression quiz developed by experts that helps to identify signs of baby blues vs postpartum depression. Baby blues may be caused by hormonal changes in the first week or so after giving birth. Postpartum depression, after having a baby, often occurs in the coming weeks and months and can happen up to a year after the birth. Answer the questions below to start a conversation about how you’re feeling. The quiz is for use between 6–8 weeks postpartum and you should select the answer that best describes how you’ve felt in the past seven days—not just today. It is strongly recommended that you carry out the quiz with your healthcare provider (HCP).
- I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things
As much as I always could = 0
Not quite so much now = 1
Definitely not so much now = 2
Not at all = 3 - I have looked forward with enjoyment to things
As much as I ever did = 0
Rather less than I used to = 1
Definitely less than I used to = 2
Hardly at all = 3 - I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong
Yes, most of the time = 3
Yes, some of the time = 2
Not very often = 1
No, never = 0 - I have been anxious or worried for no good reason
No, not at all = 0
Hardly ever = 1
Yes, sometimes = 2
Yes, very often = 3 - I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason
Yes, quite a lot = 3
Yes, sometimes = 2
No, not much = 1
No, not at all = 0 - Things have been getting on top of me
Yes, most of the time I haven’t been able to cope = 3
Yes, sometimes I haven’t been coping as well as usual = 2
No, most of the time I have coped quite well = 1
No, I have been coping as well as ever = 0 - I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping
Yes, most of the time = 3
Yes, sometimes = 2
Not very often = 1
No, not at all = 0 - I have felt sad or miserable
Yes, most of the time = 3
Yes, quite often = 2
Not very often = 1
No, not at all = 0 - I have been so unhappy that I have been crying
Yes, most of the time = 3
Yes, quite often = 2
Only occasionally = 1
No, never = 0 - The thought of harming myself has occurred to me
Yes, quite often = 3
Sometimes = 2
Hardly ever = 1
Never = 0
