Paternal postpartum depression
Postpartum depression is certainly a pathology that affects mothers to a greater extent. However, paternal postpartum depression, although no specific definition yet exists, would appear to be a relatively common phenomenon with a higher risk of depression for fathers whose partners are depressed.
Some studies show that the paternity event can be considered as a critical moment in the life of a man who is more vulnerable than in other stages of life.
The development of paternal postpartum depression is less insidious than that of the mother and it seems that there are greater difficulties in asking for help as the symptoms are less evident.
Symptoms
Symptoms include anxiety, frustration, depressed mood, withdrawal from social situations, indecisiveness, fits of anger , and emotional rigidity. All of this produces increased marital conflict and the reduction of positive emotions such as warmth, empathy and sensitivity.
Risk factors
The risk factors for paternal postpartum depression are primarily the presence of maternal postpartum depression, the presence of anxious or depressive symptoms prior to childbirth and feelings of dissatisfaction in the marital relationship.
Studies underline how, in the case of maternal postpartum depression, the father plays an important role as a protective factor and manages to reduce the negative consequences for the child’s development. In the event that the father also suffers from postpartum depression, this “buffer” effect is also lacking and therefore the risks for the child increase.
I depressed parents
Depressed parents find it difficult to relate to the child, struggle to connect emotionally with him through gaze, physical contact and smile and are poorly involved and committed to the relationship. These attitudes have important negative effects on the child’s bonding and healthy development. Many studies show that depression issues have implications in terms of health and well-being as all family members have an effect on the emotions of others during daily interactions. In this sense, the presence of a depressed family member tends to reduce the exchanges characterized by joy and happiness.
The perspective of postpartum depression prevention and care should therefore be extended to the entire family environment, immediately including the father given the importance of his role for the child’s healthy psychophysical development. The taking charge therefore should be not only of the mother-child dyad but of the triad and therefore of the entire family.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.