Postpartum Depression: A Risk for New Dads, Too

In one large study, 10 percent of fathers reported symptoms.

By Karen Pallarito
HealthDay Reporter
Friday, June 8, 2007; 12:00 AM

Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

FRIDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- Postpartum depression has gotten a softer face in recent years as celebrity mothers, such as Brooke Shields, who've experienced its devastating symptoms, have begun to share their personal stories.

Still hidden, though, are the identities of new fathers who have suffered in silence all these years.

Almost as many men as women suffer from this type of depression, according to researchers who examined data from more than 5,000 two-parent families. In all, about 14 percent of mothers and 10 percent of fathers showed signs of moderate or severe postpartum depression, according to the study, first reported in the August 2006 issue of the journal Pediatrics.

"The long-standing belief of many people, including physicians, has been that postpartum depression is due to hormone changes in women that take place after childbirth," said study leader James F. Paulson, an assistant professor of pediatrics, behavioral research and community health at Eastern Virginia Medical School's Center for Pediatric Research in Norfolk. "Obviously, fathers wouldn't be susceptible to changes of this nature and, probably because of this, haven't been a focus of study."

Janice Goodman, a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist and assistant professor at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, an affiliate of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, agrees that hormonal changes aren't the only plausible explanation.

"In both men and women, the huge life changes that go along with having a baby can contribute to depression," she said.

Postpartum depression can begin anytime after childbirth and can last up to a year, according to Mental Health America, formerly the National Mental Health Association. Symptoms often mirror those of any clinical depression, such as sadness, fatigue and hopelessness. A sufferer may experience drastic changes in mood and appetite, excessive preoccupation with a child's health, or intrusive thoughts of harming the baby.

While research suggests that hormonal changes may contribute to the onset of postpartum depression in women, "no definitive hormonal cause" has been identified, Paulson pointed out. Other factors suspected to play a role include history of depression, fatigue, marital discord, social support and financial support.