Researchers have urged struggling new parents to seek specialist mental health support in the weeks after the birth of their child, in a bid to prevent postpartum depression in men.
For years it has been debated whether men can also suffer from this disease, which affects approximately one in ten new mothers.
But researchers from Canada and Pakistan found that men “also experience significant emotional challenges” and “need support.”
In a study involving more than 350 new parents, they found that parent-child group therapy reduced symptoms in more than 70 percent of people with the condition.
Fathers with postpartum depression also had their risk of lashing out at their partner reduced.
Researchers from Canada and Pakistan found that men “also experience significant emotional challenges” and “need support.”
Dr. Ishrat Husain, lead author of the study and senior scientist at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, said: “Men’s mental health, and especially postpartum depression in fathers, remains a stigmatized and understudied area. “.
‘Historically, the focus has rightly been on maternal health during pregnancy and postpartum.
“However, we are learning that men also experience significant emotional challenges as they adapt to new parenting roles and need support.”
Globally, around 10 percent of parents are thought to be affected by PND.
But in countries like Pakistan, where more traditional gender roles tend to be present, rates could be as high as 23.5 percent, the researchers said.
In the study, scientists evaluated the mental health of 357 new parents in the country.
They were randomly assigned standard care or a four-month “Learning through Play Plus Dads” program.
In the latter, new parents received calendars detailing stages of child development and activities to encourage parent-child engagement.
They also attended 12 group sessions led by psychologists and community health workers.
These sessions combined cognitive behavioral therapy to help manage depressive symptoms with life skills training on topics including time management and emotional regulation.
Sessions were held weekly for the first two months and then fortnightly.
writing in the diary JAMA PsychiatryThe researchers said the intervention led to a “complete remission of depressive symptoms in more than 70 percent of parents with PND over four months.”
Fathers who completed the program also showed improvements in well-being and improved relationships with their children and partners.
Additionally, they reported lower scores on a measure of “intimate partner violence” at the end of the treatment period compared to those who received treatment as usual.
Causes of postpartum depression Intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that usually begin two or three days after birth and can last for months.
Postpartum depression causes intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that usually begin two or three days after birth and can last for months.
Other symptoms include insomnia, loss of appetite, intense irritability, and difficulty bonding with the baby.
In rare cases, an extreme disorder called postpartum psychosis may develop, involving hallucinations and delusions.
Existing treatment includes psychotherapy or traditional antidepressants, but these can take weeks to take effect.
Dr Husain said: “We realized that as the father’s depressive symptoms improved, social support improved for both the father and the family.
“This suggests that when people receive training and education about their mental health, they are more able and willing to seek support from their network of friends, family and colleagues.”
He added: ‘Stigma, cultural beliefs and the high demand for mental health services often prevent parents from seeking the help they need.
“Programs like Learning Through Play Plus Dads could be transformative for men in their transition to fatherhood by introducing accessible support and educational services that provide a safe space to process emotions.”