An Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale result can leave you with more questions than answers. A number may help start a conversation, but it cannot tell the whole story of how you are doing.
What the EPDS measures
The EPDS is a ten-item screening questionnaire used during pregnancy and after birth. It asks about the previous seven days. Its purpose is to identify symptoms that may need further assessment; it does not diagnose depression or decide which treatment you need. COPE explains how the screening tool is used.
What does my total mean?
The total ranges from 0 to 30. Higher totals reflect more reported symptoms, but the individual answers and your circumstances matter. Different services may use different thresholds for follow-up. For example, COPE describes 13 or more as a flag for follow-up; it is not a diagnosis or a universal boundary between needing help and being fine.
| What you see | What to ask next |
|---|---|
| A result below the service’s follow-up threshold | “I am still concerned about these symptoms. Can we discuss them?” A lower total does not invalidate distress. |
| A result at or above the follow-up threshold | “Who will assess this result, and when will that happen?” Screening should lead to a clear next step. |
| A response indicating thoughts of self-harm | Tell the clinician promptly, whatever the total. This response needs an individual safety assessment. |
ACOG recommends that a positive self-harm or suicide response be assessed immediately for its nature and urgency, with care arranged accordingly. If you cannot keep yourself safe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Call or text 988 for suicide or crisis support. Do not wait for a routine consultation to discuss an immediate safety concern. ACOG screening and follow-up guidance.
What a follow-up conversation can include
A clinician may ask about mood, anxiety, sleep, daily functioning, your history and the particular answers that stood out. You can mention a symptom even if the questionnaire did not ask about it in the way you experience it.
- “This result covers the last week, but I have felt this way for longer.”
- “I marked a low answer because I was embarrassed, and I want to explain it.”
- “I am getting things done, but it is taking everything I have.”
- “What happens next, and who do I contact if things change?”
You do not need to produce a particular score to deserve a conversation. If the questionnaire was completed elsewhere, bring the result and the name or version of the form to the professional reviewing it.
Using a score over time
A clinician may repeat screening as one part of follow-up. Ask how the score will be considered alongside what matters in daily life, such as being able to rest, manage ordinary tasks or feel more connected. Avoid treating small changes in the number as a verdict on whether you are succeeding at recovery.
Ask for help understanding the result
If you are looking for non-emergency therapy support, book a free 15-minute consultation. You can also read about postpartum depression care and what a first session can involve. A screening result is a starting point for care, not something you need to interpret alone.
Frequently asked questions
Does an EPDS score diagnose postpartum depression?
No. The EPDS is a screening questionnaire. A clinician considers the result, individual answers, symptoms and circumstances before discussing a diagnosis or treatment.
What does a score of 13 or more mean?
COPE describes 13 or more as a flag for follow-up, not a diagnosis. Services may use different thresholds. Ask the professional reviewing your result what next step is appropriate; a lower score does not invalidate distress.
Does a low total mean a self-harm response can be ignored?
No. A response indicating self-harm needs prompt individual assessment regardless of the total. If you cannot keep yourself safe, use 911 or the nearest emergency department. Call or text 988 for suicide or crisis support.
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Dr. Jana Rundle
Clinical Psychologist
