Drew Soleyn, a father from Kingston, Ont., faced a series of overwhelming emotions after the birth of his third child. He felt frustrated, isolated, and his motivation and confidence as a parent began to wane. Eventually, Soleyn realized that he may be suffering from postpartum depression (PPD). Even though he had witnessed his partner experience it, he didn’t recognize the signs in himself. This realization led him to understand the challenges he was facing and see the importance of raising awareness about PPD in fathers.
Postpartum depression is a clinical form of depression that occurs after childbirth. It is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, lack of interest in activities, fatigue, and changes in weight and appetite, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). It’s important to note that PPD is not the same as the common mood swings known as “baby blues” that are caused by hormonal changes after giving birth.
While PPD is often associated with new mothers, fathers can also experience depression after the baby is born. Around 10% of men experience paternal postpartum depression between the first trimester and up to one year after childbirth, according to CAMH. Soleyn, now the director of Dad Central Ontario, a nonprofit organization supporting fathers, aims to bring attention to PPD in fathers, as he believes it is highly stigmatized. He wants people to recognize that fathers also struggle with this condition and have needs during the postpartum period.
Studies have shown that fathers may experience PPD symptoms later than mothers. A study published in Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience found that PPD is most prevalent in men between three to six months postpartum, whereas in women, it can occur immediately after birth or develop later. Men may also exhibit symptoms such as irritability and indecisiveness more frequently than women. Other common symptoms of PPD in fathers include a depressed mood, insomnia, alcohol or substance abuse, violent or aggressive behavior, weight loss, feelings of worthlessness, and isolation.
Various factors contribute to the risk of PPD in men, as revealed by a 2021 Canadian study published in Depression and Anxiety. These factors include depression and anxiety before pregnancy, anxiety during the current pregnancy, adverse childhood experiences, screening positive for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and being a victim of intimate partner violence. Changes in work life, relationships, and financial stress can also contribute to the risk of PPD in fathers.
One significant risk factor for PPD in men is having a partner who is struggling with depression and anxiety. When a mother develops psychiatric problems, her male partner is at a higher risk of developing mental health problems as well, according to CAMH. The risk of depression increases by 24 to 50%, and the risk of anxiety increases by 10 to 17% among men in such cases.
There are various reasons why men can experience PPD, and it varies from person to person. However, a major factor is that many men struggle to acknowledge and express their emotions, often due to societal expectations and generational influences. Men may not have been encouraged to recognize and value the full range of their emotions. Consequently, vulnerability becomes a common challenge for men, exacerbating their invisibility and inhibiting them from seeking help.
This invisibility of PPD in fathers often leads them to cope with their symptoms on their own instead of seeking support. A study by Movember and Ipsos discovered that almost a quarter of fathers felt isolated when they became a father, and the number of close friends decreased for 20% of fathers in the year after becoming a father. Close friendships play a crucial role in fathers’ mental health, as fathers without close friends are more likely to experience increased levels of stress during their first year of fatherhood.
To effectively treat PPD in fathers, a combination of therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication, if necessary, is often recommended. However, there is still a lack of awareness among medical and mental health professionals about PPD in men. It is crucial for men to educate themselves about the condition and reach out to their family physician for support and counseling.
Screening for PPD in fathers is also important for identifying and addressing the condition. If a mother is screened for PPD, the father should be screened as well. Implementing screening measures for fathers will shed light on the realities of PPD in men and ensure that they receive the support and treatment they need.
While the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care does not currently recommend screening for depression in perinatal and postpartum women using questionnaires, it does recommend tools to detect anxiety and depression in the postpartum period. One such tool is The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, which is used for women at risk of or showing symptoms of postpartum depression. However, there is no specific mention of screening tools for fathers.
Implementing screening measures for fathers and ensuring that both parents are asked about their mental health during pre and postpartum visits will greatly contribute to addressing PPD in men. It is crucial to recognize that fathers go through their own unique challenges during the postpartum period and that their mental health should be prioritized alongside that of the mothers.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
