What do both the PHQ-2 and EPDS-2 assessments NOT include in their evaluation?

The PHQ-2 (Patient Health Questionnaire-2) and EPDS-2 (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-2) are brief screening tools used primarily to identify symptoms of depression in perinatal populations. The focus of these assessments is on mood and affective symptoms related to depression rather than encompassing a broad range of psychological issues.

The key aspect that makes self-harm ideation not included in their evaluations is that both tools are specifically designed to focus on depressive symptoms rather than on more complex aspects of mental health like suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviors. While questions in these assessments relate to mood, interest, and enjoyment in activities, they do not explicitly address self-harm ideation, which is a more severe indication of mental health distress that would require more comprehensive evaluation and support.

Anxiety levels, physical health issues, and sleep quality are often related to depression and could appear in other assessments; however, they are not focal points of the PHQ-2 and EPDS-2 in their standardized formats. Understanding this distinction helps in recognizing the specific functionalities of these screening tools in the context of perinatal mental health.