History of Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders: Don’t Forget the Dads

Abstract

For centuries, pregnany and post parum related changes have been the focus of obstetricians and other health care providres. In the 1930s, however, males’ emotional difficulties began to be documented. In the twenty-first century, although there appears to be growing interest in the psychological well-being of the new dad, not much attention has been paid to this issue in a scientific manner. As a result, it has not been acknowledged to the extent it deserves. Furthermore, while knowledge with regard to psychiatric illnesses in new mothers has made strides, fathers have been left behind. This has impacted the overall well-being of the family unit. Not providing psychological intervention to a new dad also influences the maternal recovery from mental illness. Maternal postpartum psychiatric disorders are less stigmatized today than they were earlier; however, this cannot be said about paternal psychological illnesses that appear to be equally prevalent but as yet go unnoticed. In this book, I attempt to bring to the attention of my readers the internal turmoil faced by new dads that is often forgotten in the light of the birth of a new baby.