An analysis of a previous research has revealed that about 10 percent of dads experience depression before or after their child is born.
According to research published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association a higher rate of depression symptoms, almost 26 percent, was reported for fathers three to six months after their baby’s birth. Earlier, the research had cited that roughly 5 percent of the adult U.S. male population that suffers from depression.
The authors of the study said that much studies have been undertaken to find the mothers’ postpartum depression that shows overall rates of 10 percent to 30 percent, while nothing much has been done to study the situation of father.
“This isn’t something that’s a widely recognized phenomenon. It highlights that as a problem, and a problem that seems to occur before and after birth and across all nations,” said lead author James Paulson.
Paulson added that symptoms of depression, including feelings of profound sadness, fatigue and worthlessness, loss of interest and thoughts of death or suicide can affect both mothers and fathers.
