For Rob, postpartum depression was a feeling of entrapment without an end in sight. He says it was a very gradual downslide. I stopped doing things that I used to enjoy, like going to the gym and meeting up with buddies. Dads may even try and hide depression because social pressure makes them reluctant to talk about their feelings. That means their partners may bring it up at first. Adam says that his wife tipped him off to his PPD symptoms before he realized there was a problem.
He suffered from depression symptoms for two years before he began treatment, seeing a counselor for regular sessions and a psychiatrist for antidepressants. Though he never doubted the diagnosis, he was bothered by it. Experiencing one or more of the following factors increases the risk of PPD in dads:. While most people are aware that new moms go through major hormonal changes during and after pregnancy, hormonal changes also occur in men.
Dads who have lower testosterone levels at nine months postpartum are at greater odds of experiencing PPD, while those with higher testosterone levels are more likely to experience parenting stress and partner aggression. In the months after birth, new parents often have a harder time connecting socially as they adjust to caring for a new arrival around the clock.
A study in new first-time moms found that perceived isolation from friends and family is a significant risk factor for PPD. While women tend to have large social networks for support, men tend to rely mostly on their partners, explains Dr. Courtenay suggests the following tips:.
Treatment for PPD varies a lot from person to person, but the good news is that there is help. Courtenay adds. And all new parents can benefit from prioritizing sleep as well as regular exercise as much as possible, both of which can help relieve and even prevent depression.
Both Rob and Adam were treated with talk therapy in addition to antidepressants. Adam was off of his medication within a year of starting treatment and feeling much more like himself. Just talking about it with others was a huge step in my recovery. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.
This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. The program seemed to have a slight effect on symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well. Feelings of support also increased among the parents. Much of the focus on parental mental health after the birth of a child tends to be on mothers.
But fathers, too, face similar emotional challenges that have received far less attention among researchers and the medical community. There are also the practical challenges of having a newborn at home, which is a huge source of stress.
It can feel a bit like juggling. And with few companies offering paid paternity leave, working dads often have little time to spend at home bonding with their newborn and adapting to their changing family, let alone addressing their own stress and mental health.
While the program in this study is not yet open to the general public, other resources are available to help support fathers after the birth of a child. Stowell recommends that dads coping with feelings of anxiety, depression, stress , or other challenges talk it over with their primary care physician or a mental health professional. Stigmas against mental health challenges, particularly among men, could make it difficult for some dads to seek support, though. Fathering, just like mothering, requires the support of family and friends who not only love the child and want the best for them, but want the best for the couple that created this wonderful new person.
This is an ideal time for [healthcare providers to] check-in with the entire family, even if fathers are not present at the visit. Another source of support for fathers could be their own dads, adds Davis. Connecting with individuals in the community also has the added benefit of helping dads build a support network , which can be a huge boost to their mental health. However, like moms, many fathers experience postpartum depression, along with elevated stress and anxiety as they adjust to a growing family.
Finding ways to help dads cope with the stressors of having a newborn can improve their mental health, as well as that of their partner. They also suggest that fathers seek support from their own dads and others in the community to alleviate stress and foster the well-being of their families.
Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Scarff JR. Postpartum depression in men. Innov Clin Neurosci. PMID: However, one in seven women experience postpartum depression. One in ten new dads experience a depression after their child is born. And if a mom has postpartum depression, then her partner has a 40 percent chance of being depressed, too. And it can be serious. But Dr. Mauren wants you to know that it can get better, and that it will with proper support.
Here she explains 3 things you can do:. Take a moment to learn how the baby blues differ from postpartum depression and anxiety. You can also see what a postpartum depression screening questionnaire looks like here.
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