Post-partum depression is a serious problem that involves not only new mothers, but also fathers. Little is said about it, but it can have serious repercussions on the whole family.
Messi in the corner
More and more studies show that paternity is an exciting experience, but as tiring as motherhood and exposed to the same risks, discomforts and real disorders, including the post-partum depression of the father who accounts for 10%. Immediately after the birth of the child, men can experience a feeling of inadequacy that moves them away from the family nest. Fathers tend to identify with stereotypes that justify their feeling a bit ‘aloof or of little use and in fact moving further and further away from their partner, both physically and, above all, emotionally.
The alarm bells
In fathers, post-partum depression can occur with anxiety disorders such as panic attacks and phobias. Complaints can lead to somatization disorders or hypochondriac worries. There may be anger crises, violent behaviour, compulsive physical or sexual activity, escapes at work or with friends; substance abuse or addiction to gambling or the internet. These problems lead to couple disorders, quarrels, conflicts that can also lead to extra-marital relationships.
Ask an expert
Often it is the companions who turn to the appropriate services, pointing out such difficulties as threatening or compromising for the peace of mind necessary to be able to care for the child in the best possible way. In these cases, the request is to feel the partner as an integral part of the triad and therefore participate in the well-being and care of the baby. Being able to entrust all this to a third person, qualified and guarantor of a space different from the family context or friend, allows both to listen and confront each other with their mutual fears. This gives rise to the possibility for the father to declare his state of difficulty and accept help that allows him to regain his role, starting from his subjective experience and his personal history.
To know!
The experience of paternity is characterized, initially, by a sense of extraneousness, since the father does not personally experience the experience of another within himself.
