When we hear the term antepartum or postpartum depression, majority of us think about women, specifically expectant or new mothers. Even from the physician's perspective, one of the "B's" we screen for in the first postpartum visit for women are the "baby blues" and signs of mood disturbances. But what about all the dads out there?
New research in fact has found that men too can suffer from antepartum and postpartum depression, indicating that physicians should be extending their screening to all the fathers and soon-to-be fathers out there. While we know that depression among moms may impact attachment and subsequent child development, research also suggest that if unrecognized and untreated, depression among fathers can have the same negative impact on the child and family.
In order to raise more awareness to this issue and help fathers and families access help in their community the Fathers Mental Health Network, a website linking new dads to screening tools, resources, and treatment programs and services.
"One 2010 American study, looking at data involving more than 28,000 men, found 10 per cent of new dads have postpartum depression. And, as a recent Canadian study shows, plenty of fathers experience depression before the baby is born as well. Led by a team from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, the Quebec-based research found around 13 per cent of expectant dads dealt with symptoms of depression during their partner’s pregnancy...
On top of that, experts say men are less likely to talk about their feelings than women, leading to a lack of understanding and awareness about depression in dads. While moms may be more inclined to show their sadness and stress outwardly by crying, dads tend to express it in different ways — often through anger — and may also self-medicate with alcohol, detach from family life and, as in Billy’s case, lash out at their partner."
For the full story, click here: http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2016/01/25/postpartum-depression-affects-one-in-10-fathers.html
New research in fact has found that men too can suffer from antepartum and postpartum depression, indicating that physicians should be extending their screening to all the fathers and soon-to-be fathers out there. While we know that depression among moms may impact attachment and subsequent child development, research also suggest that if unrecognized and untreated, depression among fathers can have the same negative impact on the child and family.
In order to raise more awareness to this issue and help fathers and families access help in their community the Fathers Mental Health Network, a website linking new dads to screening tools, resources, and treatment programs and services.
"One 2010 American study, looking at data involving more than 28,000 men, found 10 per cent of new dads have postpartum depression. And, as a recent Canadian study shows, plenty of fathers experience depression before the baby is born as well. Led by a team from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, the Quebec-based research found around 13 per cent of expectant dads dealt with symptoms of depression during their partner’s pregnancy...
On top of that, experts say men are less likely to talk about their feelings than women, leading to a lack of understanding and awareness about depression in dads. While moms may be more inclined to show their sadness and stress outwardly by crying, dads tend to express it in different ways — often through anger — and may also self-medicate with alcohol, detach from family life and, as in Billy’s case, lash out at their partner."
For the full story, click here: http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2016/01/25/postpartum-depression-affects-one-in-10-fathers.html
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