Helping Mothers Cope
|
Screening: How do I know if I have pospartum Depression?
Document references
Acknowledgements EMIS is grateful to Dr Huw Thomas for writing this article. The final copy has passed scrutiny by the independent Mentor GP reviewing team. ©EMIS 2008. Source: http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40002172/ Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) Source: British Journal of Psychiatry June, 1987, Vol. 150 by J.L. Cox, J.M. Holden, R. Sagovsky The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale has been developed to assist primary care health professionals to detect mothers suffering from postnatal depression; a distressing disorder more prolonged than the "blues" (which occur in the first week after delivery) but less severe than puerperal psychosis. Previous studies have shown that postnatal depression affects at least 10% of women and that many depressed mothers remain untreated. These mothers may cope with their baby and with household tasks, but their enjoyment of life is seriously affected and it is possible that there are long-term effects on the family. The EPDS was developed at health centers in Livingston and Edinburgh. It consists of ten short statements. The mother underlines which of the four possible responses is closest to how she has been feeling during the past week. Most mothers complete the scale without difficulty in less than 5 minutes. The validation study showed that mothers who scored above threshold 92.3% were likely to be suffering from a depressive illness of varying severity. Nevertheless the EPDS score should not override clinical judgment. A careful clinical assessment should be carried out to confirm the diagnosis. The scale indicates how the mother has felt during the previous week and in doubtful cases it may be usefully repeated after 2 weeks. The scale will not detect mothers with anxiety neuroses, phobias or personality disorder. Please note that this website used to display the entire EPDS but received an email from the Head of Publications at The Royal College of Psychiatrists stating that "this scale is not intended for self-rating, and should only be made available to physicians. The author of the scale is most adamant on this point. At present we are not authorising its dissemination on the web at all." Out of respect to their wishes, I have removed the screening tool. Instead, with their permission, I will describe each of the 10 symptoms they rate on the scale.
|
Home | BLOG | Support Tool | Testimonials |
Contact Kim |How I work | About Kim | Services | New Mother Resources | Postpartum Depression | PPD Risk Factors | PPD Screening | Depression in Mothers | Loss |For Fathers | Mothering Politics |Letters| Survey
Join The Mommy Blues on Facebook for your daily dose of support!
The feasibility of telephone counseling for Moms with PPD will be assessed individually and is dependent on severity of symptoms and risk. If I determine that you need to be seen in person, then I will act as a consultant or coach, educating and assisting you and your family to find the appropriate medical, mental and support services in your area.
If you are struggling in anyway |
As a psychotherapist, postpartum counselor and mother's coach, Kim Richardson specializes in helping and supporting all moms who are stressed and overwhelmed. She works with new mothers during pregnancy, adoption, fertility and early motherhood and has specialized in treatment, education and diagnosis of postpartum depression. |
Download a FREE |