Postpartum depression (PPD) suffered by fathers has been shrouded in silence and overlooked, even though it poses a great cost to the overall health of a family. From providers, recommendations, and counseling to representations in media or legislation regarding child custody disputes, mental health is all centered on mothers. There is an evolving awareness of the challenges faced by men when they become fathers, at some point during their journey towards mental wellness, in the right place. A gender lens is useful in discussions of physical or mental health when common or differential experiences or needs are poorly understood.
PPD is an umbrella term covering a range of mental health and wellness issues, including depression, anxiety, and stress. While most attention is given to women who give birth, new fathers could also be confused or just overly stressed. Conceivably, a conservative estimate suggests that approximately 10 percent of new fathers experience PPD. In a crisscross of wanting to feel on top of the world, but also anxious, tense, or frightened, new fathers also experience a revolving door of love and guilt as they take care of the ones they cherish most. The shock of expectation versus reality, a healthy personal routine versus minimal sleep, calm and controlled professional lives versus children whose needs are in the driver’s seat: life, their resources, and relationships are all thrown into disarray. It involves feelings of hopelessness, worry, and extreme mood swings. As a result, tragic occurrences often make the headlines, fueling what many people falsely believe: fathers are not good at taking care of their children.
Prevalence and Risk Factors
Postpartum depression in fathers (PPD) is increasingly being recognized. As more research is done, new data is demonstrating a high prevalence in new fathers. Postpartum depression was once considered to be almost solely a biological issue for mothers, but it has become increasingly recognized as a mental health issue that occurs for fathers. It is difficult to over-represent the prevalence of PPD in fathers as many fathers do not report their feelings; some men are afraid to disclose their feelings as they are afraid of judgment and the lack of support their feelings will receive. Research suggests that 4.8 percent of new fathers experience postpartum depression. This is increasing compared to past decades.
Multiple risk factors can increase the likelihood of a father experiencing PPD. First, previous mental health issues, such as depression, affect 6 percent of fathers who have been given a PPD diagnosis. Second, isolation and lack of support, lack of partner support, and lacking a social network were reported by 4 percent of fathers dealing with depression. Third, relationship and individual factors increase a father’s vulnerability. For example, 6 percent of fathers reported relationship strain as a reason for experiencing PPD. Other individually focused factors include the relationship with the baby, or more specifically, a father feeling disconnected, unprepared, and not bonding with the child. Lastly, some societal risk factors are built from gender and parenting norms. For example, there is a notion that when a new mother has had children before, she does not need help, or a father does not need help either. The presumption that one expects men to be insufficient when it comes to childcare or parenting.
Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression in Fathers
Postpartum depression in men often goes undiagnosed or unnoticed due to the idea of it being the “woman’s condition.” Some signs and symptoms that postpartum depression presents in men may be similar to those in women, while some may be different. For instance, some women may cry for unexplainable reasons, while men with postpartum depression may feel and express anger, while the mother experiences sadness or appears withdrawn. Irritability is one of the more commonly associated symptoms in men and is not as widespread in women. When a new dad is feeling largely anxious as opposed to clearly sad, he is often not considered to be suffering from postpartum depression because he has not shown signs of being clinically depressed. Men are generally more hesitant to show feelings of worry and sadness and can become anxious quite easily. Typically, around four weeks after the birth of their child, men with postpartum depression will often become more withdrawn and have a penchant for being angry and moody. Some men find it simpler to face the depression head-on and search for help before it gets out of control. Not eating as much as usual or having no greater appetite than usual, being unable to sleep even when exhausted, or sleeping far more than the average person is another sign, especially if these eating and sleeping issues persist for a long duration. Postpartum depression that has been present for more than two weeks should be addressed so that this can be treated and support given, as it can hinder the parent’s ability to form emotions, mostly towards others but also towards the child. Typically, men with postpartum depression will not speak about experiencing the symptoms to anyone, including their partner, because they feel as though they should not be feeling either of the symptoms, and they feel guilty and/or shameful.
Impact on Fathers, Partners, and Children
It is clear that when a father becomes depressed after his child is born, he is less likely to be emotionally available or engaged in parenting. This can lead to difficulties with the other parent as well as distress in the child. His wife reported, “He’s a great dad—usually. He was really down when our first was born too, and it takes its toll. But I don’t see that happening again. He’s usually left alone—so what’s the big deal?” The flip side, of course, is that when a man’s partner is distressed, it can foster his own suffering.
Postpartum depression does not just affect a partner—it will affect the whole family. The connection between new dads and postpartum depression might logically extend to some more immediate indicators—the reaction of a man’s partner, the mental health of their children, or the impact of fathers on treatment fidelity. The expectation that individuals who care for children will typically be women permeates many of the gendered expectations that we hold. We cannot assume that because we are socialized to provide care, we can still know how to do it when we are ill. Nonetheless, comparator studies where depression in general is assessed between mothers and fathers have found poor father-mother agreement—for example, a five-fold increase in reporting depression for mothers compared to fathers. Thirty percent of fathers with major depression will obtain sole custody compared to 10% of depressed mothers. Given the reactive nature of postpartum depression and the finding that few people parent in isolation, understanding the struggles of fathers might provide some insight into the contingencies affecting postpartum health. Only a big picture understanding of how our postpartum debate fits into broader fatherhood studies can tell us the meaning of paternal postnatal depression. The long-term outcomes for children with depressed dads as well as depressed moms are quite strong. Longitudinal studies have also been rare. When carried out, these studies do suggest that the combination of depression in parents is quite toxic over time for children, regardless of the sex of the depressed parent. Treating the father might thus support the mother and the child.
Coping Strategies and Support for Fathers
The final but highly significant area to consider when dealing with the much-neglected issue of postpartum depression (PPD) in fathers is their ability to effectively manage this difficult time in their lives. Identifying PPD is the critical first step in this process. Trying general collateral coping strategies will often fall on stony ground. Tasks that are the most effective in the case of women, such as spending time with the baby and talking to other mothers, will be of limited benefit for men due to the social construct of masculinity. Hence, protecting a father’s mental health is crucial in utilizing the information from this document so he can cope in his own way, which will differ greatly from a mother’s response.
Academic and clinical understanding about dealing with postpartum depression is rudimentary, as the majority of practices in this field deal with severe forms of mental distress such as psychosis and schizophrenia. Being mindful is a tool that can help a suffering parent in their journey, as it can effectively reduce anger, frustration, and provide a feeling that their emotions in their perinatal journey are acknowledged and held. More exercise has been proven to reduce depressive thoughts and behavior, while the third major step (if PPD becomes worse) is to seek professional help, as PPD has an impact on the parent-child bond and child development. Seeking professional care increases self-management as medication and various forms of psychological therapy are available. Peer support is incredibly helpful. Broaden your own support group in your community; they could be workmates, groups, friends, or other parents to help you communicate and normalize your thoughts and feelings. Local resources are available to support you in your journey; complete listings are usually found on local council websites. Whether in a group setting or in a safer setting like counseling, you have the tools to help you navigate this tumultuous time to help you become the father you want to be. Other bodies also hold educational seminars that help you identify waypoints and obstacles on your journey, with tips for self-care, and who can help you through those stages. Counseling services are also available to help you practically, and having someone to talk to can help bridge you to the next stage of your journey of self-management. The rate of male postnatal depression has slowly been rising from the rough estimate of 4.5% – 5% of men who have children to 25%, when the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is excluded. Coping and self-management are crucial in a client’s journey to be the parent they wish to become.