Understanding Antenatal and Postnatal Depression in Men

Did you know that between 2% and 25% of fathers experience depression during their partner's pregnancy or in the first year postpartum?

Postpartum depression is often linked to women due to the hormonal, physical, and emotional changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth. 

However, 10 percent of men worldwide show signs of depression from the first trimester of their wife's pregnancy through six months after the child was born. Often people mistake postpartum depression for daddy blues which happens a few days or weeks after getting a child. The blues can be greatly linked to fatigue due to lack of sleep but if it goes on for over three months then there is a likelihood that it could be depression.

What are the common causes?

Depression could be instigated by hormonal changes just as in women. In this period, men may experience a drop in testosterone levels, and estrogen, prolactin, and cortisol levels tend to rise. Some men even develop symptoms similar to pregnancy signs such as nausea and weight gain.

The other dominant cause is sleep deprivation which is very common in the first couple of weeks when there is a newborn in the house.

What are the risk factors?

• History of depression or other mental health conditions makes anyone prone to depression.
• Relationship instability. A strain in a relationship or marriage could lead to paternal depression.
• Financial problems or stress. Children present new financial commitments and without having a stable income one could easily be stressed or trigger depression.
• A sick or premature baby. Parents are never ready for a sick child and might be demanding for that to take care of the child. This could be a cause of paternal depression.
• Loss of loved ones whether earlier in life or as a parent could a trigger for depression.
• Childhood trauma is not fully dealt with by causing different forms of depression later in life including paternal depression.
• Difficulty developing an attachment with the baby may make a father wonder if there is something wrong with them and question their parental capabilities which could easily result in depression.
• Lack of a good male role model especially in the area of parenting.
• Lack of social support or help from family and friends
• Changes in marital relationships, such as a partner's lack of intimacy which is often affected by pregnancy and childbirth
• Feeling excluded and jealous over mother-child bonding. Some fathers tend to feel left out and not needed by their child or the mother as they build a bond, especially in the first six months when the child depends fully on the mother.
• Lack of rewards in parenting. There is no immediate benefit to being a parent and a father may feel frustrated at times.
• Maternal depression. In instances where mothers suffer postpartum depression half of the men are likely to be depressed themselves.

What are some common symptoms?

• General sadness, irritability, agitation, and/or anger
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Fear, confusion, helplessness, and uncertainty about the future
• Loss of interest in sex or activities that used to bring them joy
• Engagement in risky behaviors like abusing alcohol or drugs, gambling, or extramarital affairs
• Partner violence
• Shortness of breath
• Insomnia

Other physical symptoms like indigestion, changes in appetite and weight, running stomach, constipation, headaches, toothaches, and nausea.

Effects

In the long run, fathers who experience paternal depression are more likely to spank their children than other fathers. There are also less likely to engage with their children in positive bonding activities such as doing homework or playing games. They tend to maintain an authority figure. 

Paternal depression does not only affect the father but also the whole family. Poor coping mechanisms such as risky behavior might result in a strain on relationships. Children who are brought up with parents dealing with postnatal depression are more likely to have behavioral and emotional challenges later in life.

Management

New parents require support as they take care of their new buddle of joy as it is a new experience and could be challenging.

As a new father, surround yourself with others with who you can encourage each others and share your experiences. Also, be supportive and understanding of your significant other.

In case you feel overwhelmed, reach out to someone you trust and if you feel like you are on the edge, reach out to a mental health professional.