Study reveals new dads suffer almost as much depression as new moms



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Physicians pay more attention to depression in new moms – screen for it, identify it, and treat it.

But what about dads?

A Study Just Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Pediatrics

Mothers can be so depressed that they can not take care of their baby, which is why health care providers are determined to screen for depression in new mothers. But there is little research on new fathers, and although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that health care providers screen out the "parents" of depression during visits, there are not many studies on screening for depressions among fathers. A lot about bad discrimination in medicine and how often women are undiagnosed and undetected for the same condition or condition that men, it's the opposite, "said Dr. Jennifer Ashton, Chief Medical Correspondent ABC News. "We do not have our radar to detect postpartum depression in men and we have to do it."

In the new study, researchers from the School Indiana's Medical Department reviewed more than 9,500 visits to pediatric health centers, newborns, infants and toddlers.Most of the parents who welcomed their children were mothers, but 4, 4% of fathers tested were positive for depression, which corresponds to about 5% of women who tested positive

in the study was only completed by one of the parents, there were two parents present, the study may have missed even more depressed fathers who are there.

The authors of the study point out that more research is still needed to see if depression rates are truly representative of larger populations, but this study clearly shows that we need to take a closer look at a group of people who can suffer silently.

As depression among fathers has the same negative effects on a child's development and behavior as a mother, the identification and treatment of new fathers should be equally important. To do this, it is essential to adopt a family-centered approach.

"We need to give up the stigma badociated with all mental illnesses, regardless of their impact," said Ashton. "Obviously, fathers are just as vulnerable as moms."

Although women, in general, internalize the symptoms of depression, men tend to externalize their symptoms, according to Ashton. see, "said Ashton, noting that these activities may include addiction, anger, explosion, irritability and gambling.

Men should be encouraged to express their feelings and talk to Health Professionals If They Experience Depression Symptoms Ashton

"Many dads go to the obstetrician or midwife for the first time with their mother, and ask this provider to health care: "What can I do?" "You're not alone, you need to talk to someone."

Dr. Kevin Riutzel is a resident family medicine physician based in Irvine, California, and resident in the ABC News Medical Unit Copyright (c) 2018 ABC All Rights Reserved

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