“Dad is feeling blue”: what to know about paternal perinatal depression
Introduction The transition into parenthood is associated with an increased psychopathological vulnerability. Most studies have focused on mothers, although recently, the role of fathers has grown more importance. Paternal perinatal depression (PPD) is an episode of major depressive disorder occurr...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2022-06-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382201224X/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797617347960242176 |
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| author | C. Peixoto D. Rego M. Cruz H. Medeiros |
| author_facet | C. Peixoto D. Rego M. Cruz H. Medeiros |
| author_sort | C. Peixoto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
The transition into parenthood is associated with an increased psychopathological vulnerability. Most studies have focused on mothers, although recently, the role of fathers has grown more importance. Paternal perinatal depression (PPD) is an episode of major depressive disorder occurring in new or expectant fathers during the perinatal period. PPD is not widely acknowledged and research are rare.
Objectives
The authors intend to review the literature about PPD, focusing on its prevalence, risk factors, clinical features, treatment and consequences.
Methods
Non-systematic review of the literature through PubMed.
Results
A meta-analysis of PPD estimated a prevalence of 10.4%. Risk factors of PPD are multiple and complex. There are sociodemographic factors, such as marital status, monthly income and social support. Psychological factors, for instance history of depression, maternal prenatal anxiety and maternal depression. Some literature also suggests hormonal changes on men like increase estrogen and lower testosterone levels. PPD can present with symptoms of mood alterations, like irritability and restricted emotions, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite. Also common are behavioural disturbances such as interpersonal conflicts, impulsivity, violence, avoidance behaviour, and substance abuse. There are no studies to specific treatments to PPD, so the treatment is the same for women, such as antidepressants and psychotherapy. If untreated, PPD can have an adverse influence on the health and wellbeing of the mother and child.
Conclusions
PPD is still underscreened, underdiagnosed and undertreated. It is fundamental identifying risk factors and the development of specific interventions. Further research on PPD is needed.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:53:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6c14c700838e45e1a141cea1e1711c80 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:53:33Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-6c14c700838e45e1a141cea1e1711c802023-11-17T05:06:09ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S481S48210.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1224“Dad is feeling blue”: what to know about paternal perinatal depressionC. Peixoto0D. Rego1M. Cruz2H. Medeiros3Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo de Ponta Delgada, Psychiatry, Ponta Delgada, PortugalHospital do Divino Espírito Santo de Ponta Delgada, Psychiatry, Ponta Delgada, PortugalHospital do Divino Espírito Santo de Ponta Delgada, Psychiatry, Ponta Delgada, PortugalHospital do Divino Espírito Santo de Ponta Delgada, Psychiatry, Ponta Delgada, Portugal Introduction The transition into parenthood is associated with an increased psychopathological vulnerability. Most studies have focused on mothers, although recently, the role of fathers has grown more importance. Paternal perinatal depression (PPD) is an episode of major depressive disorder occurring in new or expectant fathers during the perinatal period. PPD is not widely acknowledged and research are rare. Objectives The authors intend to review the literature about PPD, focusing on its prevalence, risk factors, clinical features, treatment and consequences. Methods Non-systematic review of the literature through PubMed. Results A meta-analysis of PPD estimated a prevalence of 10.4%. Risk factors of PPD are multiple and complex. There are sociodemographic factors, such as marital status, monthly income and social support. Psychological factors, for instance history of depression, maternal prenatal anxiety and maternal depression. Some literature also suggests hormonal changes on men like increase estrogen and lower testosterone levels. PPD can present with symptoms of mood alterations, like irritability and restricted emotions, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite. Also common are behavioural disturbances such as interpersonal conflicts, impulsivity, violence, avoidance behaviour, and substance abuse. There are no studies to specific treatments to PPD, so the treatment is the same for women, such as antidepressants and psychotherapy. If untreated, PPD can have an adverse influence on the health and wellbeing of the mother and child. Conclusions PPD is still underscreened, underdiagnosed and undertreated. It is fundamental identifying risk factors and the development of specific interventions. Further research on PPD is needed. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382201224X/type/journal_articlepostpartum depressionPaternal perinatal depression |
| spellingShingle | C. Peixoto D. Rego M. Cruz H. Medeiros “Dad is feeling blue”: what to know about paternal perinatal depression European Psychiatry postpartum depression Paternal perinatal depression |
| title | “Dad is feeling blue”: what to know about paternal perinatal depression |
| title_full | “Dad is feeling blue”: what to know about paternal perinatal depression |
| title_fullStr | “Dad is feeling blue”: what to know about paternal perinatal depression |
| title_full_unstemmed | “Dad is feeling blue”: what to know about paternal perinatal depression |
| title_short | “Dad is feeling blue”: what to know about paternal perinatal depression |
| title_sort | dad is feeling blue what to know about paternal perinatal depression |
| topic | postpartum depression Paternal perinatal depression |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382201224X/type/journal_article |
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