Can Dads get Postpartum Depression?
You’ve probably heard of the baby blues, or postpartum depression. You may also know that the baby blues and postpartum depression are slightly different.
Baby blues affect almost 80% birthing parents and are the short-term dips in mood following having a baby. Baby blues normally last only one to two weeks after having your baby.
On the other hand, postpartum depression lasts much longer than one to two weeks and it’s suggested you let your physician know your symptoms right away. What you probably don’t know is dads, or the non-birthing parents, can experience postpartum depression, too.
Up to one in 10 dads can get postpartum depression. During the pregnancy and within the first year postpartum, 18% of dads can develop a clinical anxiety disorder and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
So why do dads also suffer from postpartum depression, and how is it different from the way moms experience it?
We’ll discuss all of those questions in the rest of this blog.
What is Postpartum Depression?
As touched on in the beginning of this blog, postpartum depression is a medical condition most often occuring in women who have just given birth. Postpartum depression is characterized by strong feelings of sadness, anxiety, and tiredness that last longer than 2 weeks following delivery.
Postpartum depression affects one in seven women, and for half of those diagnosed, it is their first experience with depression.
It’s important to know that postpartum depression is not your fault, and you can’t control it. There is no need to feel guilty if you’re suffering from postpartum depression and there are many therapists specialized in treating PPD ready to help you.
What is the Difference Between Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety?
While postpartum depression is characterized by feelings of hopelessness and despair, postpartum anxiety is characterized by excessive feelings of worry.
Postpartum anxiety is similar to postpartum depression however it focuses more on the fear side. It’s normal to fear for your baby. To be concerned that they’re doing fine. Postpartum anxiety takes this worry and amplifies it by a thousand.
Parents with postpartum anxiety may find themselves excessively checking the wellbeing of their baby. They can sometimes have such worry that all they think about is their babies being hurt, whether that be by someone else or even sometimes themselves.
These thoughts, which are sometimes intrusive, may cause you to think you shouldn’t confide in people about it, when it’s quite the opposite.
A fair amount of mothers have been in the same boat, suffering with either postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety, and the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby is to seek help if you find the symptoms continue to persist.
What are the Symptoms of Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety for Dads?
Most of the postpartum symptoms crossover between the birthing and the non-birthing parent.
The most common postpartum depression symptoms in dads include:
Alcohol and or substance abuse
Indecisiveness toward your decisions regarding your child or your own life
Limited range of emotion
Anger, irritability, or sudden outbursts
Low motivation
Poor concentration
Withdrawal from relationships
Working more or less
Anxiety is also common in men during and after pregnancy. In fact, one in 10 men experience prenatal and or postpartum anxiety.
Symptoms of postpartum anxiety for men include:
Persistent and excessive worry about life
Nervousness or fear of great crisis
Panic attacks
Obsessive compulsive symptoms
If you experience any of the above symptoms for longer than a two week period following the birth of your child. Speak to your physician to see what supports may be available to you.
How does Postpartum Depression Differ for Moms and Dads?
One of the main differences between postpartum depression in moms and dads, or the birthing versus the non-birthing parent, is when the symptoms hit its peak. Women usually see symptoms peak around months two and three whereas postpartum depression in men hits its peak later in the first year.
Women tend to experience more guilt and worthlessness whereas men experience more anger and risk-taking behaviour.
It is most common that men experience symptoms of mental illness differently than women. They are more likely to channel their depression into angry outbursts or irritability than women are.
Men also sometimes try to hide their experience with postpartum depression so as to not seem weak.
They want to protect and provide for their families and postpartum depression makes them believe they cannot or that they’re doing a bad job. This is not the case!
Another difference is in terms of screening. With postpartum depression being common in mothers, or the birthing parent, it’s normally screened for by their doctors. This essentially means if they do have it, they are likely to be able to get treatment and help even if they don’t want to admit they’re struggling.
Men, or the non-birthing parent, typically are not screened for postpartum depression and if they are, they often underreport their symptoms. Oftentimes men experience postpartum depression alone and untreated.
Causes and Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression in Dads
When a dad’s partner has been diagnosed with postpartum depression, they have a much greater chance of developing it themselves.
Below are seven additional risk factors that increase the likelihood of dads getting postpartum depression.
1. Lack of sleep
Lack of sleep can be a huge factor of postpartum depression. Sleep deprivation can cause serious neurochemical changes in the brain. This can lead to symptoms of depression even without a child. Getting enough sleep is really crucial.
2. Previous history of mental illness
Having a previous history of depression and anxiety heightens your risk of developing postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. If you're already an anxious or depressed individual, you’re more likely to struggle with the lack of sleep and other changes that come from having a child.
3. A strained or turbulent relationship with your spouse
Bringing a child into a turbulent relationship is never the best idea as children bring more stress for both partners. Another reason to reconsider having a child when you and your spouse are on unstable ground is it increases both of your risk of postpartum depression.
4. Expectations of becoming a dad
Just as becoming a mother is terrifying so is becoming a father. Fathers feel just as much need to be the perfect parent for their child as mothers do. This can lead to anxiety and depression when their expectations of themselves are not being met.
5. Financial troubles
Worrying that you cannot provide for your family is hard on anyone. If the family is dependent on the father for finances and he is unsure if he will be able to be a stable source of income it increases his risk of postpartum depression.
6. Young paternal age
Fear of losing your future or being too young to be a good father are real concerns. These concerns are also valid and relevant to young mothers as well.
7. Hormonal changes
It's obvious that mothers experience hormonal changes with having children but fathers can as well. Lower testosterone levels are common so that the father is able to bond better with their child. These changes in hormones often lead to a higher risk of developing postpartum depression.
How to Prevent Postpartum Depression
It is just not possible to predict whether you or your partner will be affected by postpartum depression. It's best to start planning ahead.
By coming up with solutions before the baby arrives in case either of you suffer from postpartum depression, it takes a weight off of both of your shoulders should you need help.
Beneficial things to do before baby arrives include:
Talking to friends and family before to ensure you have a strong support system in case you need it
Manage your budgets and finances prior to the due date so you’re not overwhelmed by the costs of having a newborn at home
If you and your partner are having difficulty in your relationship, seek therapy before the baby comes and work your way to resolving the issue
If there is a history of mental illness, talk to your pre-existing counsellor or find one to help you through the first year of parent life
See if you can find classes or groups focused around already anxious soon to be fathers so you can share and voice your concerns with people who will understand your concerns
What Kind of Therapy is Best for Postpartum Depression?
Seeking treatment is the first step to helping not only yourself but your family.
Postpartum depression in either spouse can cause a strain on the relationship so seeking therapy can help you help yourself and be a better parent.
It’s best to find a therapist with a strong background in postpartum depression and anxiety if that’s what you are struggling with.
The best kind of therapy for postpartum depression is whatever you find helps you the most.
Toronto Therapy Practice has a wealth of knowledge behind their practitioners and are ready and willing to help with whatever your needs might be.
Try our free consultation and see if one of our therapists can help you through the exciting and terrifying time of being a parent.
Remember not to feel guilty, you’re doing your best and we know that, so should you. Keep being a fantastic parent and let us help you get back to you.
