In An Emergency, Dial 911
Becoming a mother is incredibly difficult, and every mother deserves the care, resources, and support she needs. Below are resources for you including, “The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale”. It is a series of questions to help you clarify if you may need more support. If you think you need more support, may be suffering from post-partum depression or your baby blues won’t go away, call your health care provider. Remember you never need to suffer alone. There are professionals who want to help you!
South Shore Hospital’s Grayken Center’s Perinatal Behavioral Health Program offers comprehensive support for anxiety and depression both during pregnancy and after birth. They offer medication and therapy treatment options for women pregnancy through two years after birth.
The Postpartum Support International-Massachussetts telephone warmline, (866)-472-1897, provides toll-free and confidential information, support and listings of local resources such as PPD groups and clinicians. Leave a message and a volunteer will get back to you within 24 hours.
The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Inventory is a list of questions developed to help women clarify when they may need particular kinds of postpartum support, especially concerning changes in mood and self-perception. Answering the following questions should only take a few minutes of your time. Be honest as you can, as your candor will help you to understand the status of your situation. Jot down the answers to these questions on a piece of paper as they reflect how you have been feeling in the past seven days, not just today.
In the past 7 days:
A. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things:
As much as I always could 0
Not quite so much now 1
Definitely not so much now 2
Not at all 3
B. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things:
As much as I ever did 0
Rather less than I used to 1
Definitely less that I used to 2
Hardly at all 3
C. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong:
Yes, most of the time 3
Yes, some of the time 2
Not very often 1
No, never 0
D. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason:
No, not at all 0
Hardly ever 1
Yes, sometimes 2
Yes, very often 3
E. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason:
Yes, quite a lot 3
Yes, sometimes 2
No, not much 1
No, not at all 0
F. Things have been getting on top of me:
Yes, most of the time I haven’t been able to cope at all 3
Yes, sometimes I haven’t been coping as well as usual 2
No, most of the time I have coped quite well 1
No, I have been coping as well as ever 0
G. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping:
Yes, most of the time 3
Yes, sometimes 2
Not very often 1
No, not at all 0
H. I have felt sad or miserable:
Yes, most of the time 3
Yes, quite often 2
Not very often 1
No, not at all 0
I. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying:
Yes, most of the time 3
Yes, quite often 2
Only occasionally 1
No never 0
J. The thought of harming myself or my baby has occurred to me:
Yes, quite often 3
Sometimes 2
Hardly ever 1
Never 0
Now, add the score for each of your responses. (The points for each item are listed at the end of the response.) If the total of your score is 12 or higher, you may been experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression.
If your answer to question J is “Yes, quite often,” it is important that you seek help immediately by speaking to your health care provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
BritishJournalofPsychiatry150:782-786. (L. Wisner, B.L. Parry, C.M. Piontek)
For more information on PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) check out our Blog…Connect the Dots between hormones and mental health.