Anxiety Is a More Common Problem than Depression among New Parents

Monash University’s Jean Hailes Research Unit has noted that the incidence of adjustment problems and anxiety is higher than expected in new parents. According to Dr Karen Wynter although the general perception is that post natal depression is the biggest cause of concern, actually the prevalence of anxiety in both mother and father of the baby is higher, especially if it is the first child. Special attention needs to be paid to the men since 20% of them in the study stated that their anxiety interfered with their normal life. The stress of a new baby tells on both parents but both partners have to support each other to ease the anxiety in their life. Doctors, nurses and caregivers have to monitor both the mother and father during the first few months after birth and counsel them so that they can deal with the anxiety that they feel with the responsibility of caring for a new born baby.