"There is no such thing as marriage – merely two scapegoats sent out by their families to perpetuate themselves". Whittaker & Keith 1981. This presentation will explore the experience of Anxiety and Depression for both men and women, in the perinatal period. The perinatal period offers a unique opportunity to provide comprehensive care for parents diagnosed with perinatal Anxiety and/or Depression. There is significant evidence that the partner’s risk for developing a related Anxiety or Depression, is increased from 4.8% to 36% at 6 weeks postnatally.
This can add additional stresses to their relationship that then often ‘feeds-back’ to compound the individuals existing difficulties. The ‘referral’ process in the perinatal period to Psychologists and to Couple Therapists is often difficult for General Practitioners. How does that Practitioner ‘listen’ for and ‘frame’ these opportunities to new parents? What are the possible expectations and concerns each parent may share in attending for what is often their initial experience of couple therapy in the difficult context of perinatal Anxiety and Depression?
The Couples Therapist in this presentation (who was previously a General Practitioner) will particularly share his understandings of men’s experience of Anxiety and Depression in this perinatal period. He will also present a framework for how he works with couples, in this context, to help them ‘capture’ their possible relational ‘ dream’ around parenthood, one that often becomes far removed from the literal realities of their perinatal experience.
