An area that has been hugely overlooked has been men and depression after the birth of a child. Did you know that 1 in 10 fathers will experience paternal depression? Onset for paternal depression in men can show up to 4-6 months after the arrival of their child. If his partner is experiencing any Postpartum symptoms, there is a 50% likelihood that he will as well. Just like women, if fathers have any history of mental health concerns there is a higher chance of it returning during this transition to parenthood. Postpartum affects the whole family, not just mom.
Depression in Men...What to look for:
Men are less likely to talk about their feelings of depression and are less likely to reach out for help. Men are 3-4x more likely than women to commit suicide. Men are more likely to talk to "other men who have experienced depression" than they are to a therapist or family member. Becoming a parent is a major life transition for the couple. But for some men they are not prepared for what that really means.
If you or your partner are having these feelings, it is important that you to talk to your doctor, friends, family or a therapist about them. During life transitions, it is normal to wonder about what has happened to my needs and to wonder what to expect going forward. Sometimes we just need a little more support around these times. Please don't hesitate to tell someone how you are struggling with these feelings. The sooner you talk with someone, the sooner you can start to feel better and not so alone.
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