THAT'S MEN:A new study quantifies the risk of depression
THAT THE RISK of depression goes up in the year following the birth of a baby is accepted in the case of mothers, but less so in that of fathers.
Now a study by Britain's Medical Research Council and University College London has quantified that risk. Looking at the first 12 years of a child's life, the researchers found that one father in 37 suffered depression during that period. For mothers the rate was one in 13, so the exposure to depression continues to be far greater for women.
The highest risk was in the first year after the child was born. Then, one in 28 fathers and one in seven mothers experienced depression. Parents aged 15-24, parents from deprived areas and parents who had previously been depressed were at the highest risk of all.
Various fairly predictable factors lay behind the increased risk. Some found the additional responsibilities hard to take on, and others blamed sleeplessness. Still others became depressed because their relationship suffered.
While the assumption is often made that the birth of a baby brings parents closer together, it is often incorrect. When the first baby arrives the two have become three, and things are not going to be the same again. Stress goes up, and couples who are not good at handling conflict can be in trouble.
This study deserves to be taken very seriously, because it covers a large number of parents over a long time. The researchers studied the records of 350 GPs from 1993 to 2007, covering a total of 86,957 families. Their health records were then checked for depression, and they were followed up for the 12 years following the birth of a child.
It's important for health services and extended families to be aware of figures such as these, because depression can so easily be missed. There is still a stigma, and many people don't talk about it. Moreover, the general assumption may be made that the mother is the one who will be depressed and that the father really doesn't have anything to be depressed about.
I was sorry to see that very young parents are at a higher risk of depression, but on reflection it makes sense. Younger parents have to put a halt on the usual activities of young people, may not know very well how to cope with difficulties, and are having their babies at a time when their income is fairly low.
For this reason the extended families of young parents should keep a close eye on what is going on and be prepared to help if necessary.
We need affordable counselling for such young families, but unfortunately counselling is often too expensive for them. I am involved with the non-profit, HSE-supported Village Counselling Service in Tallaght, and the demand for our low-cost service is booming. But you could travel to town after town and suburb after suburb and not find an affordable service in most of them. Yet the benefits of providing help to families such as those mentioned in this survey are obvious.
Parenthood is wonderful, but for some mums and dads it can push one or both into depression. Let's be aware of that, after the champagne corks have stopped popping.
From the "Department of You Never Can Tell" comes the news that at least five of the trapped Chilean miners have been revealed to have women in their lives other than their wives.
Apparently, the offer of compensation while the men are underground has led to the emergence of a number of mistresses.
One man is reported to have a wife and three other women disputing the right to compensation.
Some mistresses went away quietly when they found their men had wives and children. Others waded into the fray.
It has been reported that attempts are being made to ensure the men hear nothing about this until they emerge some months from now. Oh boy.
Padraig O'Morain (pomorain@ireland.com) is a counsellor accredited by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. His book Light Mind - Mindfulness for Daily Livingis published by Veritas.