For the research, James Paulson of the Eastern Virginia Medical School reviewed data from 43 previous studies which had examined 28,004 men and concluded that about 10.4 percent suffered from depression between the first trimester of their wives' pregnancy and their babies' first birthdays. That is more than double the rate of depression among men generally.

There are a number of factors seem to come into play regarding male perinatal and postpartum depression, including hormone changes. For example, estrogen drops in women, and testerone drops in men when there's a new baby. Additional aggravating factors include loss of sleep, added responsibilities, and new economic stresses. In some cases, the mood of a new father can worsen if his wife gets depressed with postpartum depression. Given the closeness of the marital relationship,it's not surprising that a dad could get post-baby blues.

Apparently, the problem at its worst when babies are 3 to 6-months-old, which new fathers' sleep deprivation peaks. During that period, the research showed that as many as a quarter of new fathers in the U.S. reported being depressed. Additionally, depression rates were found to be higher in the U.S. (where paternal-leave policies are capped at three months) than abroad, where both parents typically get more time off from work.

Perinatal and postpartum depression in man can have long-lasting repercussions. Men deal with depression differently than women, displaying more anger and irritability. That can lead to fits of aggression and violence, or impulsive behaviour such as gambling, extramarital affairs, or drug and alcohol abuse. A British study found that children whose fathers are depressed have much higher rates of behavioral and psychiatric problems.

Researchers recommend that new dads are more carefully screened for depression, especially in cases where the mother is already suffering and couples counseling can be helpful.

References
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