www.theaustralian.news.com.au -
FOR every two mothers suffering postnatal depression in Australia, at least one father does, too.
More than 45,000 women and 26,000 men were in the throes of the debilitating psychological condition, the Post and Antenatal Depression Association said yesterday, with the high number of men an unexpected burden on the health system.
PANDA chief executive officer Belinda Horton said the figures on male postnatal depression put paid to the widespread belief that fluctuating hormones were the prime cause of the mental illness.
"Postnatal depression isn't simply caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy and after birth," Ms Horton said.
"There isn't a great deal of evidence that shows hormone changes alone cause postnatal depression - it's one of many many factors.
"Men go through similar issues to women when a new baby comes into the world.
"Everything gets turned upside down.
"There may be financial pressures and many other challenges, and that can be very hard for people." ....
