This quiz can help you identify possible signs of postpartum depression.
Your results are a starting point, not a diagnosis.
Professional support can help you better understand your symptoms and next steps.
Bringing a baby into the world can come with many different emotions. You may wonder if what you’re feeling is part of adjusting to parenthood or a sign of something more. A postpartum depression quiz can help you better understand your symptoms and take the next steps to get support.
This quiz is for people who are pregnant, recently gave birth, or concerned about their mental health after having a baby. It can’t diagnose postpartum depression (PPD), but it can help you decide whether it may be time to talk with a licensed mental health professional.
Have you felt sad, down, or tearful more days than not since becoming pregnant or having your baby?
Take the postpartum depression quiz
This quiz is designed to help you reflect on common signs of postpartum depression. Answer each question based on how you’ve been feeling over the past few weeks, not just today. There are no right or wrong answers.
Have you felt sad, down, or tearful more days than not since becoming pregnant or having your baby?
Have you lost interest in activities you usually enjoy?
Do you often feel overwhelmed by daily tasks or responsibilities?
Have you felt disconnected from your baby, partner, or other loved ones?
Do you find yourself feeling guilty, like you’re not doing a good enough job as a parent?
Have you been unusually irritable, angry, or frustrated?
Do you often feel anxious or worried, even when there isn’t a clear reason?
Have you had trouble sleeping, even when you have the opportunity to rest?
Do you feel hopeless about the future or worry that things won’t get better?
Have you felt like you’re struggling to cope with the emotional demands of pregnancy or parenthood?
How to interpret your results
Count how many times you answered yes and no. Then look at which response you selected most often.
Mostly yes: Your responses suggest you may be experiencing symptoms commonly associated with postpartum depression. It may be helpful to speak with a licensed mental health professional about what you’re experiencing.
Mostly no: Your responses suggest you're not currently experiencing many symptoms commonly linked to postpartum depression. However, know that it’s always OK to reach out for support.
A mix of yes and no answers: Your responses suggest you may be experiencing some symptoms, but the pattern isn’t clear. You may consider talking with a professional if your symptoms worsen or begin affecting your daily life.
How our PPD self-assessment works
This quiz was created by a licensed mental health professional and is based on symptoms commonly associated with postpartum depression. The questions explore changes in mood, anxiety, energy, interest, and emotional well-being that can occur during pregnancy or after having a baby.
While the quiz can help identify possible signs of postpartum depression, it’s not a diagnosis. Similar symptoms can occur with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and other mood disorders. If you’re noticing shifts in your mood or well-being, it’s important to reach out for professional support.
Other ways to test for postpartum depression
An online quiz can be a helpful starting point, but it isn’t the only way to screen for postpartum depression. Healthcare providers often use screening tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [1] (EPDS) or the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). These tools evaluate symptoms of depression during pregnancy and after childbirth.
A provider won’t rely on a screening tool alone [2]. They’ll also ask about your symptoms and medical history. They’ll discuss your well-being and how long you’ve been experiencing changes in your mood. This helps them understand the full picture of your experiences.
Postpartum depression is typically diagnosed when symptoms cause significant distress or begin interfering with daily life, relationships, or the ability to care for yourself or your baby.
Why it’s important to address PPD symptoms
Postpartum depression can affect much more than your mood. Without treatment, symptoms may last for months or even years. They can make it harder to care for yourself, bond with your baby, maintain relationships, and manage daily responsibilities. The good news is that postpartum depression is treatable, and many people begin to feel better with the right support.
If left untreated [3], postpartum depression may lead to:
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Trouble caring for yourself or managing daily responsibilities
Increased stress in relationships
Long-lasting feelings of sadness, guilt, or hopelessness
More severe mental health symptoms over time
There’s no set timeline for postpartum depression. Some people experience symptoms for a few weeks or months, while others deal with symptoms for longer without treatment. Seeking help early can improve outcomes and make recovery easier.
Treatment options for postpartum depression may include:
Therapy: Approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) can help you manage symptoms and improve coping skills.
Medication: Medication can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. A healthcare provider can discuss the options available during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Lifestyle changes: Prioritizing sleep, movement, nutrition, and stress management can support you alongside professional treatment.
The care you need, when you need it
Learn how Rula can support your mental health journey
One subtle sign I often see is when a parent stops feeling excited or connected to things they normally care about and assumes it's just exhaustion. While sleep deprivation is part of caring for a newborn, ongoing emotional numbness, hopelessness, or loss of interest can be signs of postpartum depression.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Clinical reviewer
Find care with Rula
This postpartum depression quiz can help you reflect on symptoms that may be affecting your mental health during pregnancy or after having a baby. While the quiz isn’t a diagnosis, it can be a helpful first step toward understanding your symptoms and finding support if you need it.
At Rula, we’re here to help you feel better. Rula makes it easy to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who takes your insurance. That way, you don’t have to choose between great care and a price you can afford.
Rula patients pay about $15 per session with insurance, and 93% say they feel better after getting care through Rula. We have 21,000+ providers, and appointments are available as soon as tomorrow. We’re here to help you take the next step — wherever you are in your mental health journey.
References
- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) https://www.sadag.org/images/brochures/edinburghscale.pdf
- The Identification of Postpartum Depression https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2736559/
- Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6492376/
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Having faced challenges like childhood abuse, neglect, and the loss of her father to suicide, Brandy Chalmers is deeply passionate about providing compassionate care. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Brandy also teaches at a university, sharing her expertise with future mental health professionals. With over a decade of experience in settings like inpatient care and private practice, she specializes in helping clients with perfectionism, trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders, and life changes.
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