Monday, July 6, 2009

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Pregnant and Depressed? Test Yourself

This screening tool for postpartum depression works for pregnant women, too

By Sarah Baldauf

Posted October 23, 2008

Postpartum depression has become a familiar term, but many people—including some doctors—do not acknowledge the potential health impact that depression during pregnancy can have on both mom and baby. This 10-question survey, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, or EPDS, was created to screen for depression in women after childbirth, but experts agree it can be useful in pregnant women, too.

In the past week I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things:
1. As much as I always could
2. Not quite so much now
3. Definitely not so much now
4. Not at all
In the past week I have looked forward with enjoyment to things:
1. As much as I ever did
2. Rather less than I used to
3. Definitely less than I used to
4. Hardly at all
In the past week I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong:
1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, some of the time
3. Not very often
4. No, never
In the past week I have been anxious or worried for no good reason:
1. No, not at all
2. Hardly ever
3. Yes, sometimes
4. Yes, very often
In the last week I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason:
1. Yes, quite a lot
2. Yes, sometimes
3. No, not much
4. No, not at all
In the past week things have been getting on top of me:
1. Yes, most of the time I haven't been able to cope at all
2. Yes, sometimes I haven't been coping as well as usual
3. No, most of the time I have coped quite well
4. No, I have been coping as well as ever
In the past week I have been so unhappy that I have difficulty sleeping:
1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, sometimes
3. Not very often
4. No, not at all
In the past week I have felt sad or miserable:
1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, sometimes
3. Not very often
4. No, not at all
In the past week I have been so unhappy that I have been crying:
1. Yes, most of the time
2. Yes, quite often
3. Only occasionally
4. No, never
In the past week the thought of harming myself has occured to me:
1. Yes, quite often
2. Sometimes
3. Hardly ever
4. Never

Your Score

The maximum EPDS score is 30. A score of 10 or higher could indicate symptoms of depression that range in severity. The EPDS does not diagnose depression; it is only meant as a screening tool. Item 10, which inquires about suicidal thoughts, is a particularly important question. Those with such thoughts should seek help immediately. If you have any questions about whether you might have depression, see your physician.

EDINBURGH POSTNATAL DEPRESSION SCALE (EPDS)
J.L. Cox, J.M. Holden, R. Sagovsky
From: British Journal of Psychiatry (1987), 150, 782-786.

Tags: depression | mental health | women's health | pregnancy

Reader Comments

sex and health

hi i wanna know if a vergent can get pragnent or not please i need to know as soon as possible because i'm so worried

ribala of XX
Jun 11, 2009 19:10:17 PM [permalink] [report comment]

i thinik ia depressed

iam pergnant at 20 week i cry all the time and sad i feel guilty and worthless wt can i do plz help i dont want harm my baby i have disfunctional marriage history of depression and sexual abuse but i love my baby very much i want the best life for him he is my everyy thing i just want some one to help me

nano of XX
May 30, 2009 16:46:26 PM [permalink] [report comment]

How to see if you're pregnant

The simplest way to find out if you are pregnant is to go to the pharmacy and get a pregnancy test (EPT) kit, which you can do yourself at home. These are very accurate and you can find out immediately. You can also go to a Christian Crisis pregnancy center, where you will get a free test and good counselling. Planned Parenthood also has clinics, but they make money by doing abortions so their counselling will be biased towards that end. I hope you don't take that route.

Don't bother taking the home tests unless you have missed your period or it is late as the accuracy is decreased the earlier you test. God bless you.

Roger of XX
Apr 26, 2009 16:32:47 PM [permalink] [report comment]

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