epds_score: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)

Description

Calculates the EPDS score, a 10-item screening tool used to identify women who may have postpartum depression. Each item is scored 0, 1, 2, or 3 based on the intensity of symptoms over the past 7 days. Item 10 specifically screens for suicidal ideation.

Usage

epds_score(q1_laugh, q2_enjoy, q3_blame, q4_anxious, q5_scared, q6_coping,
           q7_sleep, q8_sad, q9_crying, q10_self_harm)

Value

A list containing:

EPDS_Total_Score: The sum of the 10 items (Range 0-30).
Interpretation: Risk category (Not likely, Possible, Probable).
Suicide_Risk_Flag: Boolean indicating if Q10 was positive.
Action_Plan: Suggested clinical next steps.

Arguments

q1_laugh: Numeric (0-3). "I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things." (0=As much as always, 3=Not at all).
q2_enjoy: Numeric (0-3). "I have looked forward with enjoyment to things." (0=As much as ever, 3=Hardly at all).
q3_blame: Numeric (0-3). "I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong." (0=Never, 3=Yes, most of the time).
q4_anxious: Numeric (0-3). "I have been anxious or worried for no good reason." (0=No, not at all, 3=Yes, very often).
q5_scared: Numeric (0-3). "I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason." (0=No, not at all, 3=Yes, quite a lot).
q6_coping: Numeric (0-3). "Things have been getting on top of me." (0=No, I have been coping as well as ever, 3=Yes, most of the time I haven't been able to cope).
q7_sleep: Numeric (0-3). "I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping." (0=No, not at all, 3=Yes, most of the time).
q8_sad: Numeric (0-3). "I have felt sad or miserable." (0=No, not at all, 3=Yes, most of the time).
q9_crying: Numeric (0-3). "I have been so unhappy that I have been crying." (0=No, never, 3=Yes, most of the time).
q10_self_harm: Numeric (0-3). "The thought of harming myself has occurred to me." (0=Never, 1=Hardly ever, 2=Sometimes, 3=Yes, quite often). **Note:** Any score > 0 on this item suggests immediate risk.

References

Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatry. 1987;150:782-786. doi:10.1192/bjp.150.6.782

Examples

Run this code


# Example 1: High Risk (Probable Depression + Self Harm)
# High scores on sadness, coping, and self-harm
epds_score(1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 1)

# Example 2: Low Risk
# Mostly 0s and 1s
epds_score(0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0)

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