Fathers with Postpartum Depression Due to Decreased Testosterone Levels
Link: http://neurosciencenews.com/testosterone-dad-depression-7424/
Summary: This study focused on the link between testosterone levels in men who are becoming parents and postpartum depression. Fathers are more likely to experience postpartum depression if their testosterone levels dropped 9 months after the child was born. High testosterone levels were linked with increased physical and emotional aggression. There was also a difference between the postpartum depression of one parent compared to the other. When the mother had postpartum depression and lower relationship satisfaction, the father did not have postpartum depression and had higher testosterone levels. When the mother did not have postpartum depression and higher relationship satisfaction, the father had postpartum depression and had lower testosterone levels. This study shows that postpartum depression is not something tied to maternity, but rather hormonal changes and the biology of becoming a parent overall.
Connection: I chose this article because it ties to both of my majors, psychology and family studies. In family studies, postpartum depression is typically discussed as being a problem that only the mother faces as a result of her hormonal changes after giving birth. This creates dysfunction within the couple relationship and within the parent-child relationship. In psychology, the influence of different hormones on mood and behavior has been examined. Rapid changes in the level of hormones or having too much or too little of particular hormone can drastically impact the individual’s well-being. The change in a woman’s hormones is often discussed and is used to explain the cause of their postpartum depression and problems they face within their family as a result. Although men are not the ones giving birth, they also experience hormonal changes. This entertains the idea that postpartum depression cannot be completely explained from hormonal changes after childbirth. This also provides some insight towards understanding both the hormonal changes within men after the birth of their child and other potential causes or other factors, such as stress, that contribute to postpartum depression.
Summary: This study focused on the link between testosterone levels in men who are becoming parents and postpartum depression. Fathers are more likely to experience postpartum depression if their testosterone levels dropped 9 months after the child was born. High testosterone levels were linked with increased physical and emotional aggression. There was also a difference between the postpartum depression of one parent compared to the other. When the mother had postpartum depression and lower relationship satisfaction, the father did not have postpartum depression and had higher testosterone levels. When the mother did not have postpartum depression and higher relationship satisfaction, the father had postpartum depression and had lower testosterone levels. This study shows that postpartum depression is not something tied to maternity, but rather hormonal changes and the biology of becoming a parent overall.
Connection: I chose this article because it ties to both of my majors, psychology and family studies. In family studies, postpartum depression is typically discussed as being a problem that only the mother faces as a result of her hormonal changes after giving birth. This creates dysfunction within the couple relationship and within the parent-child relationship. In psychology, the influence of different hormones on mood and behavior has been examined. Rapid changes in the level of hormones or having too much or too little of particular hormone can drastically impact the individual’s well-being. The change in a woman’s hormones is often discussed and is used to explain the cause of their postpartum depression and problems they face within their family as a result. Although men are not the ones giving birth, they also experience hormonal changes. This entertains the idea that postpartum depression cannot be completely explained from hormonal changes after childbirth. This also provides some insight towards understanding both the hormonal changes within men after the birth of their child and other potential causes or other factors, such as stress, that contribute to postpartum depression.
This research is interesting because I always thought postpartum depression occurs in women only. In fathers,the declination of testosterone means they are not excited to be father and that is why they have postpartum depression? Relating to an individual well-being, this condition be prevented. This is important to health because postpartum depression can effect the psychological and physiological processes of the body.The individual is not happy or well-round as he or she used to be before the baby. They are not as motivated, active, and sociable. If not treated, it may leads to harming oneself or worse. Therapy is an effective treatment. It consist of a person doing light exercising, discussing the issues, getting adequate amounts of sleep, and self motivation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Daria in which I thought that postpartum depress occurs only in women/mothers. The varying ages and ethnicities of the mothers in the study really interested me because without research like this, people may assume that postpartum depression happens only up to a certain age or only happens to a certain ethnic group. At the end of the article in the "Treating fathers with Postpartum Depression", I found it interesting that supplementing testosterone to the fathers could do more harm than good for the family when dealing with postpartum depression in fathers. Although they do not recommend supplementing, physical activity, sleep, awareness of postpartum depression and seeking support and care seem to be the best form of treatment for the family. I would like to see what support and care for postpartum depression is, and how effectively it works for the parents, and same with physical activity and adequate sleep (although sleep is hard with a newborn child).
ReplyDeleteThis article is very interesting! I was aware that fathers could have postpartum depression, but I did not know that it was predominately hormonal due to a lack of testosterone. I can imagine that this is seen more often now a days because many fathers are taking the place as the "care giver", which in the article states can lead to lower testosterone levels because they were more synced up with the mothers. I think this is a subject that needs more research on because I am sure many people are not fully aware that fathers can suffer from postpartum depression just as much as mothers can. The current methods of treating fathers with postpartum depression do not adequate. As it notes in the article, treating fathers with hormone supplements causes more trouble than thought. I think the best was to treat an individual suffering from postpartum depression, first starts with seeking help. I agree with the article that talk-therapy can help significantly. Of course, there are other ways as well to help, but I think taking about a persons feelings is really the first step to help cure this.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was interesting and good to know that fathers can also go through postpartum depression. There are always information on women about postpartum depression but not so much on men. I definitely did not know men go through this well. I do believe that since men also go through postpartum, I think the husband and wife should definitely work together as much as possible. Postpartum depression is hard to deal with and no one can not deal with that alone. I feel that since the mother and father are both going threw it, I think it would be best to deal with together.
ReplyDeleteAs all the previous responses have mentioned, this is a very interesting article. I think the reverse effects for the mother and father is especially interesting. It does make sense that a new mother would be more satisfied with a partner who is less aggressive and more involved in the caretaking process. However, I am not really sure why the men have lower testosterone levels to being with. Does taking care of children actually lower testosterone levels in men? Or do these men have naturally low levels to begin with? Is it safe to assume that the underlying mechanisms that cause postpartum depression in men and women are the same or different? I would think that postpartum has to be different for women than for men in that they are actually carrying the baby in them which may be accompanied by numerous hormonal changes. I wonder if higher testosterone in women results in a lesser post partum depression like it does for men. Injecting mothers with testosterone is pretty unethical and giving men testosterone supplements supposedly interferes with what could be a natural process. It will be interesting to see how this research progresses.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting article! I agree with you when you say that postpartum depression is mostly only studied in new mothers. I took a family studies course last spring and learn that postpartum is sometimes seen in men as well. However, I did not know that it was due to their testosterone levels. This is an important finding for expecting parents because they can better prepare for the situation when or if it arises. Couples can compile strategies for ways to tackle postpartum depression whether the new mother or father has it.
ReplyDeleteLike most people here I was not aware that men suffered from postpartum depression. I thought it was mostly women who had this happen. Knowing that this happens specifically looking at the fathers side they should prepare for it. The article said that sometimes males have a rise in testosterone and they become more aggressive. Knowing this the male should find some kind of outlet like exercise to be able to handle it better be ready before it happens. With this information having high levels of aggression can lead to verbal abuse or physical so it is best to try and prevent that. Going to therapy with your couple to help coup with the situation trying to find productive outlets too let out this aggression.
ReplyDeleteMany people do not think that men can have postpartum depression. It's interesting to see studies done on this and that it shows that men can have postpartum depression. This can also aid in the argument of men being able to have paternity leave as well as women. Men being a part of the baby's first few months is very important as well as the mother being there for the first few months. It is also intriguing that if one partner has postpartum depression the other partner does not. I am curious if there are any cases where both parents have postpartum depression.
ReplyDelete