Postpartum Depression in Mothers and Fathers – An Underestimated Diagnosis

Abstract

Postpartum depression remains a significant healthcare priority due to the social and family consequences. Research has shown that both mothers and fathers experience significant psychological changes during pregnancy and postnatally, including depressive disorders. Underdiagnosed in most cases, the short and long-term consequences involve infant and child development, family’s life and social disruption. Because this pathology may lead to deviation from behavioural and social norms, we want to emphasize that timely and appropriate diagnostic can improve the effectiveness of treatments and avoid complications.This may contribute to optimal social, emotional and behavioural child development that may occur consecutively to family members” emotional and psychological manifestations.

Parental Postnatal Depression in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Its Effects on the Parent–Child Relationship and the Child’s Developmental Outcomes

“…The COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions have led to important changes in people's daily lives to limit its rapid spread worldwide, severely affecting the mental health of new mothers and fathers [12,14,25]. Epidemiological studies that systematically assessed the impact of COVID-19 on parents during the postnatal period have underlined a dramatic increase in the rates of prevalence of PND among mothers [36,37] and fathers [43,44].…”

“…Similarly, for fathers, the birth of a child entails major transformations related to the necessity of adapting to the child's new rhythms and needs, and having to redefine one's relationships and self-identity, which may be associated with increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression [10]. In this context, the COVID-19 outbreak and its related restrictions, resulting in a worldwide traumatic experience [11], posed an additional risk to the mental health of postpartum women and men who were shown to be one of the high-risk group populations for negative effects of the pandemic on psychological well-being [12][13][14]. Even before the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies conducted during previous natural disasters had shown higher rates of psychiatric disorders among perinatal women with respect to the general population [15].…”