detection and diagnosis

Last reviewed 03/2021

• the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a screening instrument used in the identification of women with postnatal depression. When validated, a score of 11-12 on the EPDS (out of a maximum of 30) has a specificity of postnatal depression of 92.5% and has a sensitivity of 76.7% (1). However the EPDS score is not sufficient to make the diagnosis on its own

• the diagnosis of postnatal depression requires assessment of the mother's mood (to elucidate features such as depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation); also there must be assessment of the mother's feelings for and attachment to the baby

Reference:

• Murray L, Carothers AD (1990). The validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale on a community sample. Br J Psychiatry, 157, 288-90.