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Assessment of Depression Severity

EPDS Score or Clinical Assessment

EPDS 0-8

EPDS 9-13

EPDS 14-18

EPDS ≥19

Signs and symptoms of Depression

Signs and symptoms in each column may overlap

Limited to no symptoms

Mild symptoms

Moderate symptoms

Severe symptoms

Reports occasional sadness

Mild apparent sadness but brightens up easily

Reports pervasive feelings of sadness or gloominess

Reports continuous sadness and misery

Fairly calm

Occasional feelings of edginess and inner tension

Continuous feelings of inner tension/intermittent panic

Unrelenting dread or anguish, overwhelming panic

Sleeps as usual

Slight difficulty drifting off to sleep

Sleep reduced or broken by at least two hours

Less than two or three hours of sleep

Normal or increased appetite

Slightly reduced appetite

No appetite – food is tasteless

Needs persuasion to eat

No difficulties in concentrating

Occasional difficulty in concentrating

Difficulty concentrating and sustaining thoughts

Unable to read or converse without great initiative

No difficulty starting everyday activities

Mild difficulties starting everyday activities

Difficulty starting simple, everyday activities

Difficulty accomplishing much of anything, including grooming/bathing self

Normal interest in surroundings and friends

Reduced interest in surroundings and friends

Loss of interest in surroundings and friends

Emotionally paralyzed, inability to feel anger, grief, or pleasure

No thoughts of self-reproach, inferiority

Mild feelings of guilt, inferiority

Persistent self-accusations, feelings of guilt

Feeling useless or like a burden to loved ones

No suicidal ideation

Fleeting suicidal thoughts

Suicidal thoughts are common

History of severe depression and/or active preparations for suicide

This resource has been adapted with permission from the MCPAP for Moms Pediatric Toolkit for Postpartum Depression.