Postnatal depression is not limited to women following childbirth, some men experience it too and this is known as Paternal Postnatal Depression. In the first two months after birth it is thought that up to a quarter of men may experience symptoms of depression.
There are many changes in lifestyle, and increased responsibilities, involved in becoming a father, as well as changes in the levels of your hormones such as testosterone. Men sometimes feel a lack of support or feel excluded from the new relationship developing between the mother and the baby. There will inevitably be changes in your relationship with your partner, and previous emotional difficulties may be exacerbated. A lack of sleep doesn’t help either. If your partner is suffering from depression as well, then this increases the chances of you becoming depressed.
Some of the symptoms of Paternal PND are similar to maternal PND, but there are also significant differences. One difference is that the Edinburgh Depression Scale, used to diagnose PND in women, does not work well in detecting PND in men. Another difference is that a father suffering from PND may respond to his feelings by becoming aggressive, angry and unfriendly to his partner. This may result in untypical or inappropriate actions such as the dad avoiding his parenting role, becoming increasingly isolated, and possibly overworking. He may indulge in excessive drinking or even substance abuse.
Changes in your emotions or feelings: such as feeling sad, anxious, disconnected, guilty, inadequate, alone, unable to cope, feelings of anger, frustration or irritability.
Changes in your thoughts: losing confidence, worrying about death, irrational or negative thoughts
Changes in your body: poor sleep, changes in appetite, tearfulness, poor concentration
Changes in your behaviour: finding it difficult to do even the simplest of things, cutting yourself off, finding it hard to bond with your baby, being inactive for long periods of time, becoming quite obsessive about certain routines.
It is important to note that not everyone who is depressed has all of these symptoms. However, if you experience several of the symptoms listed above and these are not getting better over time, then you may be suffering from depression. Paternal PND does not always happen straight after your child is born. It may take longer to develop than maternal PND. It is important that you take steps to help yourself and/or seek help from others.
If you are struggling following the birth of your baby then it is very important to tell your GP about how you are feeling. You may decide you need more support and want to be referred to a therapist which your GP will be able to arrange for you. Treating your depression will help you feel happier and more settled in your new role as a father. Anti- depressant medication may be an option to consider. They can help ease the symptoms of moderate or severe PND and give you some breathing space to adjust to all the changes involved in becoming a father.
Aside from your doctor, there are also things you can do to help yourself.
The following are helpful advice and activities which might help:
Talk to your partner. We know that a lack of social support contributes to depression. It is important to try and let your partner know how you feel.
This will help them to be more supporting and comforting as it will help them understand why you may have been acting differently. Parenting is tough and couples that can help each other will be in a stronger position.
Talk to other fathers. It may help to meet other new dads. Dads groups are becoming more and more common as a place for them to share their thoughts and experiences of becoming a parent with their peers. Check your local NCT branch or family information service for groups or go online.
Some useful websites for fathers are:
www.dad.info
www.fatherhoodinstitute.org
www.dadsmatters.org.uk and
www.netmums.com who have a section on male pnd.
Do something active. Take some exercise every day, like a walk with the buggy or other exercise that you used to enjoy. Any kind of activity that increases your heart rate will have a positive effect on your mood.
Be involved: However you are feeling, you are very important to your baby. It’s the little things that help you and your baby build a relationship, such as holding and talking to your baby, bathing and changing nappies.
Look after yourself: Eat well and aim for 3 balanced meals a day. Avoid negative coping strategies such as drinking too much or
working too hard. Try to keep in touch with your friends (even if it is less frequent) and find ways to keep up your hobbies and interests as much you as you can.
Recognising you might be experiencing PND and seeking help can be hard but it is the first step towards feeling better. No new parent should be embarrassed about seeking help or feel they can’t talk about it.
Recovery from PND is gradual but you will make a full recovery with the right help and support.
In the first two months after birth it is thought that up to a quarter of female partners may experience symptoms of depression. There are many changes in lifestyle, and increased responsibilities, involved in becoming a parent. Sometimes a female partner may feel a lack of support or feel excluded from the new relationship developing between the mother and the baby. There will inevitably be changes in your relationship with your partner, and any previous emotional difficulties may be exacerbated. A lack of sleep doesn’t help either. If the mother is suffering from depression as well, then this increases the chances of you becoming depressed.
Many of the symptoms of Partner PND are similar to those of maternal PND but there can be variations. Female Partners may find that they increasingly experience some of the symptoms below.
Changes in your emotions or feelings: such as feeling sad, anxious, disconnected, guilty, inadequate, alone, unable to cope, feelings of anger, frustration or irritability.
Changes in your thoughts: losing confidence, worrying about death, irrational or negative thoughts
Changes in your body: poor sleep, changes in appetite, tearfulness, poor concentration
Changes in your behaviour: finding it difficult to do even the simplest of things, cutting yourself off, finding it hard to bond with your baby, being inactive for long periods of time, becoming quite obsessive about certain routines. You may find that you use more alcohol or recreational drugs than usual.
Changes in your relationships: you may experience feelings of hostility or indifference to the baby or to your partner or to them both.
You may feel that you want to withdraw from family life, or your work or any social events
It is important to note that not everyone who is depressed has all of these symptoms. However, if you experience several of the symptoms listed above and these are not getting better over time, then you may be suffering from depression. Partner PND does not always happen straight after your child is born. It may take longer to develop than maternal PND. It is important that you take steps to help yourself and/or seek help from others.
If you are struggling following the birth of your baby then it is very important to tell your GP about how you are feeling. You may decide you need more support and want to be referred to a therapist which your GP will be able to arrange for you. Treating your depression will help you feel happier and more settled in your new role as a parent. Anti- depressant medication may be an option to consider. They can help ease the symptoms of moderate or severe PND and give you some breathing space to adjust to all the changes involved in becoming a parent.
Aside from your doctor, there are also things you can do to help yourself.
The following are helpful advice and activities which might help:
Talk to your partner. We know that a lack of social support contributes to depression. It is important to try and let your partner know how you feel.
This will help them to be more supporting and comforting as it will help them understand why you may have been acting differently. Parenting is tough and couples that can help each other will be in a stronger position.
Do something active. Try to take some exercise every day, like a walk with the buggy or other exercise that you used to enjoy. Any kind of activity that increases your heart rate will have a positive effect on your mood.
Be involved: However you are feeling, you are very important to your baby. It’s the little things that help you and your baby build a relationship, such as holding and talking to your baby, bathing and changing nappies.
Look after yourself: Eat well and aim for 3 balanced meals a day. Avoid negative coping strategies such as drinking too much or working too hard. Try to keep in touch with your friends (even if it is less frequent) and find ways to keep up your hobbies and interests as much you as you can.
Recognising you might be experiencing PND and seeking help can be hard but it is the first step towards feeling better. No new parent should be embarrassed about seeking help or feel they can’t talk about it.
Recovery from PND is gradual but you will make a full recovery with the right help and support.
For more information about paternal postnatal depression contact us at:
The Association for Postnatal Illness, 145 Dawes Road, London. SW6 7EB
Phone: 020 7386 0868
Website: www.apni.org
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: 10am – 2pm, weekdays
The National Childbirth Trust Phone: 0300 330 0700
Website: www.nct.org.uk
Websites:
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