Does becoming a parent alleviate clinical depression?

A friend of mine on Prozac is soon going to become a father. I was
curious if he can expect his depressiveness to get better. Any
research or stats on this?

shinypenny...

Sleep disruption tends to be viewed as a symptom of depression, but
IME, lack of quality sleep can actually trigger or exacerbate mood
disorders. It becomes a cycle - lack of sleep triggers mood disorder
which triggers more lack of sleep and even worse mood disorder....

So bringing a baby into the household is a risk, merely due to sleep
disruptions - if nothing else.

Then you've got the hormonal changes women go through on top of that.

And then you've got the identity/role crisis that parenthood can evoke
in both men and women.

If this is a close friend or relative, I would suggest offering help at
night, if necessary, so the father can get a full night's uninterrupted
sleep. And encourage him to continue with his meds at very least, until
baby is sleeping through the night. If he's only seeing a GP, also
encourage him to add counseling into the mix too.

dragonlady...

I realized as soon as I posted that I need to revise that: he has been
diagnosed as depressed.

I don't know that a diagnosis of "clinical depression" would be
necessary, but, given your description, it seems highly likely.

Banty...

I agree.

The help that a friend can do is *practical* help.

Renee...

I'm not familiar with any stats. I remember reading that Kurt Cobain
appeared happier after his daughter was born, but then again he did
kill himself. So, I would think that the stress and lack of sleep could
trigger more depression. But, exercise has been shown to help with
depression, so maybe if he took daily walks with the child, it could
offset any additional bouts of depression that falls upon him. And I
think if he's excited about the child, that that will help, too. Your
thoughts do affect your brain chemistry. (I'm not saying depression can
be cured by happy thoughts, just that those who can find and focus on
things that bring happiness probably have an easier time with their
depression than those who can't.) Oh, and make sure he keeps the Prozac
away from the child when the kid is mobile.

enigma...

not likely, plus the child will have to be monitored for
signs of depression... depression can be hereditary & yes,
even babies/toddlers can suffer from clinical depression.
lee

Banty...

Well, no, children of depressed parents are *not* "monitored for signs of
depression". It's part of the medical history to be sure. But it's dealt with
if there's an issue; there is no really useful 'monitoring' that might not do
more harm than good in misinterpreting rather subtle things.

enigma...

i meant the parents should monitor... although i'm not sure
how useful that advice is for first time parents. my friend's
son that was DX'd clinically depressed at age 2 was thier 2nd
child & it was fairly clear he had something going on.
depression in kids is pretty difficult to DX most of the time,
i think, but it does respond to therapy. i was involved to the
extent of making therapy puppets for him...
lee

Banty (child of depressed mother)