Jun 22

Jun 22 Postpartum Depression In Men

Postpartum depression in new mothers is often discussed. A newborn can bring you immense joy but sometimes this joy can turn to fear, anxiety, and a negative behaviour without you even realising. But the sad part is even though with a baby two new parents are born, still men are often ignored in the scenario.

Often it is just the mother that we believe suffers from postpartum depression but the fact is even new fathers can experience depression not just after but before the birth too. Postpartum depression in fathers is known as PPDN (Paternal postnatal depression) and PPPD is very real.

PPDN affects between 2% and 25% of men during their partner's pregnancy or in the first year postpartum.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), this rate can increase to 50% when the mother also has postpartum depression.

A report in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 10 percent of men worldwide showed signs of depression from the first trimester of their wife's pregnancy through six months after the child was born. The number spiked to 26 percent during the three- to the six-month period after the baby's birth. This number is shocking because it is twice the number of men usually experiencing depression.

Postpartum-depression-in-men-after-birth

Causes Of Postpartum Depression In Men

It is wrong to assume that just the mothers undergo changes when they give birth. In fact, the fathers' life is equally changed after the baby. Fathers also adjust to new and demanding roles and tasks during the early postpartum period. How well they adjust critically depends on the level and quality of cooperation between the mother and father.

Studies also suggest that the prevalence of depression among fathers impact their positive support for both mother and baby during the first postpartum year. This may lead to problems in the family and increase the chances of emotional and behavioural problems in the child and may also affect the marriage.

While hormones play a major role in female postpartum, even men with PPPD experience some hormonal changes. A 2017 study found that lower testosterone levels and PPPD are related.

Postpartum depression in men could be due to several causes, however, its exact causes are still not known.

The following factors may contribute to postpartum depression in men:

excessive worry about the baby and the responsibilities of being a parent
lack of family support
worries about relationships
financial difficulties
loneliness, not having close friends and family around
changes in the sleep cycle

Personal history of depression
Family history of depression
Lack of social and/or emotional support
Missing attention and/or sex from your partner
Feeling excluded from the bond between mom and baby

However, maternal postpartum is a major cause of PPPD as research shows men with a partner suffering from postpartum depression are twice likely to suffer from depression themselves.

Also Read: Foods That Can Cause Depression

Symptoms Of Postpartum Depression In Men

Sometimes new dads experience “baby blues” which pass by once they get a good sleep or hang out with their friends. But if the 'blues' last more than two or three weeks, it's probably depression.

Different men may show different symptoms, while some men showing symptoms of sadness, others become irritable, agitated, angry, or aggressive. New dads may experience panic attacks, may feel worthless, and lose interest in activities they loved earlier including sex.

Depressed fathers are less likely to get involved with their kids, and that can lead to disruptive behaviour or a higher rate of social and emotional problems later on.

Some common symptoms to identify whether the new father is suffering from postpartum depression or not are:

Increased anger and conflict with others
Increased use of alcohol or prescription/street drugs
Frustration or irritability
Violent behaviour
Significant weight gain or loss
Isolation from family and friends
Being easily stressed
Feeling discouraged
Increase in complaints about physical problems, like headaches, digestion problems or pain
Problems with concentration or motivation
Loss of interest in work, hobbies and/or sex
Working constantly
Concerns about productivity and functioning at work or school or immersing himself in work
Feeling sad or crying for no reason
The conflict between how you feel you should be as a man and how you are
Thoughts of suicide or death
Risk taking behaviour such as extra-marital behaviour

Also Read: How Stress Causes Weight Gain

Men Are Reluctant To Talk About It

What makes depression among men worse is that they are reluctant to talk. Women are more open in expressing their emotions and so identifying depression among women is not as difficult as in men. Men are often raised to maintain the “tough guy” image and hence they keep their feelings to themselves for fear of appearing weak. That is why there is not much literature about postpartum depression in men and most of the men who suffer from it are diagnosed while their partners are undergoing treatment and when the doctors notice it.

According to the researchers, men are less likely than women to seek professional help for depression. However, the recent focus on male mental health has brought this issue to light.

So getting men to talk about their condition is the first step.

Experts believe that paternal postpartum depression may be more real now because this generation has a lot of work from home fathers or dads who stay at home to take care of the baby while the mother works. Fathers are now feeling the same psychological, social, and economic pressure that mothers have long experienced. They have plenty of stress and little sleep, and this, along with hormonal changes, can lead to depression.

Paternal Depression Can Affect The Child

A father suffering from depression may also not interact properly with his children and partner.

Depressed dads are also much more likely to hit their children than those without depression. Some research also suggests that depression among dads early in a child's life puts the child at risk for developmental delays.

Depression in fathers also increases conflicts in marital relationships and makes mothers more vulnerable to depression. On the other hand, when the mother is depressed having a nurturing father protects the child from the negative effects of mom's depression.

Also Read: Fruit Juices- Not As Healthy As You Thought

How To Deal With Postpartum Depression In Men

Even in case of moderate depression treatment is necessary. Identifying the symptoms and seeking help is required not just for the person suffering but for the well being of his partner and child.

The father also needs support to deal with this situation and the most effective support comes from the partner because paternal PPD is closely related to partners' mental health and the relationship between the two.

Support and encouragement from the mother and holding an active discussion as the couple awaits and prepare for their baby and even after the birth may help the father's involvement in parenting and ease the stress as a new father.

Fathers often feel isolated because the mother shares an important bond with the child. Sharing the parenting role with fathers may also lower fathers' feelings of isolation from the relationship between the mother and the baby. Even support from other family members about the father's role and understanding the difficulties the fathers face may have a positive effect.

Educational programs to make fathers aware of postpartum depression is also necessary. Most men suffering from it are surprised when they are diagnosed with it. Since times are changing and so are the roles of new age fathers, it is important that they are not treated as just providers anymore. With the increasing involvement of fathers in parenting, proper support from the society would help new fathers ease their stress in the early postpartum period. They should also be encouraged to seek help from health professionals for complete assessments and consideration of psychotherapy or antidepressants to improve their family health.

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