A new study reported in USA Today on May 7, 2008 reported a surprising finding after studying more than 4,000 new fathers. Clinical depression is almost twice as common in new dads as in other men of the same age. Apparently, the birth of a new child is a significant risk factor in the development of clinical depression in new fathers. It is not clear exactly why this is the case. There are probably a number of contributing factors including: sleep deprivation, financial worries, disruption of the relationship with the mother, and sub-clinical psychiatric disorders that existed prior to the birth of the child that got triggered by the birth of the child.
The Bottom Line: New fathers are high risk for developing clinical depression. New fathers who become depressed after the birth of the child should seek professional help.
Sources: USA Today, See blogposts in: Psychiatric Disorders: Depression
Dr. Jeffrey Speller
Dr. Tanya Korkosz
Psychopharmacology Associates
of New England
www.psychopharmassociates.com