
Quiz: Do I have postnatal depression?
Peer reviewed by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGPLast updated by Lawrence HigginsLast updated 10 Jun 2025
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Having a baby can be a joyful experience. But the combination of hormones, sleep deprivation, and emotional upheaval that comes with bringing new life into the world can take its toll on new mothers. It's no wonder that many women find themselves feeling down. But what's the difference between feeling down and having postnatal depression?
Who is this quiz for?
This quiz is for women who have given birth within the last year who suspect they may have postnatal depression (PND). If you are feeling low, anxious, or feel you are not bonding with your baby, it's worth checking whether you have developed this common, treatable condition.
How common is postnatal depression?
As a new mother, it can be easy to feel guilty about feeling low, however, PND happens to around 1 in 10 women.
There are many reasons that you may have PND. You may have already had mental health issues which giving birth triggered or made worse. It can be connected to feeling unsupported, alone, and overwhelmed by the experience of motherhood, or from other life problems already present, like money issues or relationship conflict. But sometimes it happens when there are no obvious issues at all. PND might also be connected to the changes in certain hormones that happens after birth.
How does the quiz work?
The questions in this quiz have been designed to see whether you are having some of the main symptoms of PND. Each time you select an answer, you will also be given information about your individual symptoms and their significance. At the end of the quiz, we will show you the likelihood of you having PND, based on your answers.
The result of this quiz should give you an indication as to whether you're having depressive symptoms - but no online quiz can diagnose a mental health problem. If you are feeling low - even if you do not score highly on this quiz - it's important that you speak with your doctor, midwife, or a friend or family member.
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About the authorView full bio

Gillian Harvey
Freelance Writer
BA (Hons) English
Gillian is a freelance writer and columnist for a variety of national newspapers and magazines.
About the reviewerView full bio

Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
General Practitioner, Medical Author
MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH
Dr Colin Tidy is an NHS Doctor, based in Oxfordshire.
Article history
The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
Article also available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, and Swedish.
Next review due: 14 Jun 2028
10 Jun 2025 | Latest version
9 Jul 2018 | Originally published
Authored by:
Gillian Harvey
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