Men Experience Perinatal Depression as well as Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
Supporting Expectant and New Dads and Partners During Pregnancy and After Birth
A lot of emphasis is placed on perinatal and postpartum depression and anxiety experienced by expectant and new mothers during and after pregnancy. Depression in women can stem from additional mental stress as well as fluctuating hormone levels.
However, men and/or partners of expectant and new mothers experience anxiety and depressions as well. It is estimated that 1 in 20 men experience depression during their partner’s pregnancy and up to 1 in 10 dads/partners struggle with depression after birth of their baby. Further, anxiety is just as common and many men/partners experience anxiety as well as depression.
A pregnancy can be an exciting yet stressful and anxiety provoking life event. Welcoming a child may be the most life-changing events we experience. It is normal to feel some anxiety about the arrival of a baby and becoming a father and/or parent. Dads and/or parent partners may experience fears and thoughts about becoming a father/parent, supporting the mother and child physically, emotionally, and economically, worry for the health of the mother and child, and feel a loss for your prior lifestyle, to name a few.
It is important not to ignore thoughts and feelings of anxiety or depression. If thoughts and/or feelings are becoming intrusive and detouring your normal schedule, or if depression and other symptoms last longer than two weeks, it could be time to talk to a medical or mental health professional.
Signs and symptoms of perinatal or postpartum anxiety and depression
- Constant tiredness or exhaustion
- Headaches, muscle tension
- Loss of interest in sex
- Changes in appetite
- Sleep problems
- Irritability, anger, mood swings
- Emotional withdrawal from partner, baby, family, and friends
- Fear of caring for baby
- Being non-communicative, not wanting to share thoughts or feelings
- Feeling alone, isolated
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors
Depression Looks Different in Men
Often, we associate depression with feelings of sadness, a low mood, crying, low activity level, and/or exhaustion. However, anxiety and depression can cause an agitated state of mind in some people. Men with depression may feel over stimulated, frustrated, and unable to relax. They often express feeling trapped. This may lead to outburst of rage or anger out of character. And these outbursts can lead to further feelings of shame and guilt, increasing depression. Recognizing all these feelings and having an outlet for them is key.
Men or Partners that might be at increased risk for perinatal and postpartum depression
- Partners who lack support from friends, family, or mate
- History of anxiety or depression
- Being sleep deprived
- Relationship and physical intimacy stress
- Those supporting partners with perinatal or postpartum depression
Getting Help and Support for Men with Depression and Anxiety
The most important steps to getting support are understanding and acknowledging your feelings and reaching out to get support. If you’re feeling off-balance, depressed, anxious, angry, or easily frustrated for more than two weeks consistently it is a good idea to talk to someone. A general practitioner can be a first person to talk to about recommendations for a specialist or mental health professional.
Postpartum.Net has a host of services for dads/partners experiencing depression and anxiety. You can find all their resources here.
Best Practices to Support Yourself When Experiencing Anxiety or Depression
- Recognize your feelings as normal
- Take time to see the joy in this new life transition
- Expect that this time in your life may be turbulent and bring up new experiences
- Don’t try to solve every problem, be a team partner
- Talk to your mate, friends, and family about your feelings
- Take time for yourself doing things you enjoy
- Eat well and exercise
- Don’t be ashamed to ask for help
Additional Resources for Dads
- Tips about how dads can take care of themselves and their partners
- Video testimonials from dads who have experienced postpartum anxiety and depression
- Read David Levine’s blog post about how he beat postpartum depression
- The Postpartum Dads website was created by PSI Dad’s Coordinator David Klinker as a forum to help dads and families by providing firsthand information and guidance.
- New! Dads group on Facebook: David Klinker also facilitates a private Facebook group that can be joined by sending a request to info@postpartumdads.org.
- The Postpartum Husband book by Karen Kleiman
- Boot Camp for New Dads is a unique father-to-father, community-based workshop that inspires and equips men of different economic levels, ages and cultures to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their mates and personally navigate their transformation into dads.
- The Good Men Project is a blog and Facebook page addressing subjects related to dating, marriage, and fatherhood.
- Center for Men’s Excellence: video info for new dads.
We believe in supporting families. If a partner you know is experiencing anxiety or depression, call us at 330-595-4563 or contact us here.
If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, get help right away through one or more of these resources:
- Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
- Contact a minister, a spiritual leader, or someone in your faith community.
- Call a suicide hotline number — in the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor.
- Make an appointment with your doctor or a mental health professional.
- Call 911
Danielle Older, MSW, LISW-S, CCTP
Danielle is one of our maternal mental health therapists and the founder of River Root Counseling. Her therapeutic style is individual, evidence-based, and unique to best serve each individual client. Danielle will work with you, at your pace, cheering you on and empowering you as you accomplish your therapeutic goals. Danielle values the therapeutic relationship and works to make each session beneficial and helpful for her clients. Danielle is a mother herself and understands the roller coaster that parenting, and motherhood, can sometimes feel like.
Call River Root at 330-595-4563
Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation (Ohio) – I.2002068-SUPV
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Bachelor’s of Social Work – University of Akron
Master’s in Social Work – Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Schedule a consultation here.