More than one in 10 fathers become depressed after the birth of their child, and their postpartum depression is linked to greater risk of the mother developing depression in that period as well, according to a study published Tuesday.
Postpartum depression in mothers has become increasingly well-recognized in recent years, but much less attention has been focused on how fathers fare after the birth of their children. Yet, a growing body of evidence suggests that depression in either parent is been linked to long-term behavioral and psychiatric problems in the child, with some studies showing that the effect lasts until adolescence.
Researchers from the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk conducted a statistical review of 43 previously published studies involving 28,000 adults to get an accurate estimate for what percentage of men actually experience a depression in life in the year after their child was born.
Overall, some 10.4% of fathers experience depression during the postpartum period, the analysis showed. In general only 4.8% of men are believed depressed at any given point in time. For women, the rate of postpartum depression was estimated at nearly 24% according to the new analysis, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The paper highlights the importance of recognizing and treating men's depression, said experts. "When we look at the impact on families and children, this is a public health problem that goes beyond the individual," said James Paulson, a child clinical psychologist and pediatrics professor at Eastern Virginia and the first author on the paper.
The reasons for paternal postpartum depression are likely similar to those that contribute to maternal postpartum depression, including factors like sleep deprivation, relationship and other stress and isolation from friends, said Dr. Paulson.
One difference is that for women who have experienced a previous depressive episode, changes in hormones may trigger a postpartum depression, said Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, a depression expert and psychology professor at Yale University who wasn't involved in the current study.
Better understanding of men's depression during the postpartum period is critical because it often manifests differently than women's, said Dr. Nolen-Hoeksema. In general, depressed men are more likely to exhibit hostility and even aggression, whereas women who are depressed tend to become sad. As a parent, that could mean getting angry, making critical statements in negative tones or voice, punishing and hitting instead of being soothing and patient to a child, according to Dr. Nolen-Hoeksema.
"You would worry not only about the general atmosphere it [the father's depression] creates, but also potential abuse," said Dr. Nolen-Hoeksema.
There is also reason to believe that when the male partner gets depressed, the woman is likely to get depressed as well, she said. In Tuesday's study, researchers indeed showed that there was a moderate link between the father's postpartum depression and the mother's.
Studies that have examined the impact of parental depression on children show roughly a doubling of the risk of behavioral and emotional problems in children, according to Paul Ramchandani, a fellow in the child-psychiatry department at the University of Oxford in England who wasn't involved in the present study.
But, "it is important to stress that this is an increased risk, and many children—probably most in most cases—whose parents have depression manage very well and have very normal development," wrote Dr. Ramchandani in an email.
For Rob Sandler, 38, a medical device sales representative in Houston, the depression he felt after the birth of his son two years ago was a completely unexpected onslaught and felt "like a slap in the face." He and his wife were excited to be parents and Mr. Sandler wanted to be a hands-on father.
But shortly after his son's birth, Mr. Sandler knew that he wasn't himself. Instead of bonding with the baby, Mr. Sandler felt overwhelmed and a sense of being trapped. He felt unable to deal with his son. Mr. Sandler began leaving for work earlier than he needed to and stayed later before coming home. He lost his appetite, cried more than usual and felt anxiety and guilt, all classic signs of depression.
After several weeks, Mr. Sandler decided to see a counselor and being taking antidepressants, experiencing some relief almost immediately. He stopped taking medication when his son was one, and continues to check in with his counselor about once a month to make sure he stays on track.
Mr. Sandler was more willing to get help than are many men, according to Will Courtenay, a psychologist in Oakland, Calif., who runs a website on male postpartum depression at www.saddaddy.com. But trying to "nip this in the bud or prevent" depression is key, he said.
If man has history of depression, he should be prepared for possibility of postpartum depression and have either a psychotherapist or psychiatrist in place, said Dr. Courtenay. Couples with a rocky relationship should think about getting help ahead of time. Many fathers have extreme anxiety and stress about becoming a father or dealing with finances and should take a parenting class or come up with a budget ahead of time.
For health professionals, it may mean screening dads more routinely for depression, particularly if the moms are also depressed, and recognizing that treatment does help.
"The meat of the work is increasingly awareness and the increasing the likelihood that men and families will seek help," said Eastern Virginia's Dr. Paulson.
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More than one in 10 fathers become depressed after the birth of their child, and their postpartum depression is linked to greater risk of the mother developing depression in that period as well, according to a study published Tuesday.Postpartum depression in mothers has become increasingly well-recognized in recent years, but much less attention has been focused on how fathers fare after the birth of their children. Yet, a growing body of evidence suggests that depression in either parent is been linked to long-term behavioral and psychiatric problems in the child, with some studies showing that the effect lasts until adolescence.
Researchers from the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk conducted a statistical review of 43 previously published studies involving 28,000 adults to get an accurate estimate for what percentage of men actually experience a depression in life in the year after their child was born.
Overall, some 10.4% of fathers experience depression during the postpartum period, the analysis showed. In general only 4.8% of men are believed depressed at any given point in time. For women, the rate of postpartum depression was estimated at nearly 24% according to the new analysis, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The paper highlights the importance of recognizing and treating men's depression, said experts. "When we look at the impact on families and children, this is a public health problem that goes beyond the individual," said James Paulson, a child clinical psychologist and pediatrics professor at Eastern Virginia and the first author on the paper.
The reasons for paternal postpartum depression are likely similar to those that contribute to maternal postpartum depression, including factors like sleep deprivation, relationship and other stress and isolation from friends, said Dr. Paulson.
One difference is that for women who have experienced a previous depressive episode, changes in hormones may trigger a postpartum depression, said Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, a depression expert and psychology professor at Yale University who wasn't involved in the current study.
Better understanding of men's depression during the postpartum period is critical because it often manifests differently than women's, said Dr. Nolen-Hoeksema. In general, depressed men are more likely to exhibit hostility and even aggression, whereas women who are depressed tend to become sad. As a parent, that could mean getting angry, making critical statements in negative tones or voice, punishing and hitting instead of being soothing and patient to a child, according to Dr. Nolen-Hoeksema.
"You would worry not only about the general atmosphere it [the father's depression] creates, but also potential abuse," said Dr. Nolen-Hoeksema.
There is also reason to believe that when the male partner gets depressed, the woman is likely to get depressed as well, she said. In Tuesday's study, researchers indeed showed that there was a moderate link between the father's postpartum depression and the mother's.
Studies that have examined the impact of parental depression on children show roughly a doubling of the risk of behavioral and emotional problems in children, according to Paul Ramchandani, a fellow in the child-psychiatry department at the University of Oxford in England who wasn't involved in the present study.
But, "it is important to stress that this is an increased risk, and many children—probably most in most cases—whose parents have depression manage very well and have very normal development," wrote Dr. Ramchandani in an email.
For Rob Sandler, 38, a medical device sales representative in Houston, the depression he felt after the birth of his son two years ago was a completely unexpected onslaught and felt "like a slap in the face." He and his wife were excited to be parents and Mr. Sandler wanted to be a hands-on father.
But shortly after his son's birth, Mr. Sandler knew that he wasn't himself. Instead of bonding with the baby, Mr. Sandler felt overwhelmed and a sense of being trapped. He felt unable to deal with his son. Mr. Sandler began leaving for work earlier than he needed to and stayed later before coming home. He lost his appetite, cried more than usual and felt anxiety and guilt, all classic signs of depression.
After several weeks, Mr. Sandler decided to see a counselor and being taking antidepressants, experiencing some relief almost immediately. He stopped taking medication when his son was one, and continues to check in with his counselor about once a month to make sure he stays on track.
Mr. Sandler was more willing to get help than are many men, according to Will Courtenay, a psychologist in Oakland, Calif., who runs a website on male postpartum depression at www.saddaddy.com. But trying to "nip this in the bud or prevent" depression is key, he said.
If man has history of depression, he should be prepared for possibility of postpartum depression and have either a psychotherapist or psychiatrist in place, said Dr. Courtenay. Couples with a rocky relationship should think about getting help ahead of time. Many fathers have extreme anxiety and stress about becoming a father or dealing with finances and should take a parenting class or come up with a budget ahead of time.
For health professionals, it may mean screening dads more routinely for depression, particularly if the moms are also depressed, and recognizing that treatment does help.
"The meat of the work is increasingly awareness and the increasing the likelihood that men and families will seek help," said Eastern Virginia's Dr. Paulson.
Original Article Link