A new Australian study published in the Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Journal has found that new fathers are just as likely to suffer Postnatal Depression (PND) as mothers.
Fathers are at risk of experiencing postnatal mental health difficulties, which may persist across the early childhood period for some fathers. The results suggest routine assessment of fathers’ wellbeing should be undertaken in the postnatal period with mental health interventions and support provided across the early childhood period.
Fathers are often the forgotten parent in many different areas, and this is probably one of the most important. The screening for PND generally focusses on the mother in this country, in my recent experiences I don’t recall any questions aimed at my mental state. Luckily I haven’t suffered, but I don’t doubt than many men do, especially after going back to work after the short time off (if you’re lucky) after the birth of the child.
So remember to ask a new dad how he’s going next time you pay them a visit.
True, and most definitely true when your partner is going through the same thing. Especially the first couple of months after having new kids. It's all distant past now, but having kids is a lot more emotions than "happy" and "joy."
Great info. I never knew any of this, I always thought it was the mother who went through the depression.
As a follow up to this there was a story about it on a breakfast news show yesterday which can be found here http://tenbreakfast.com.au/video.htm?movideo_m=182756
Not sure if it's geo-blocked to Australian IP Addresses or not though (let me know if you can't access it).