New fathers ALSO suffer postnatal depression, research claims – but the symptoms are different to those affecting women
It has long been known that new mothers may experience intense sadness, anxiety and stress after birth.
However, experts say that fathers can also develop postpartum depression; but the condition often looks different and is much less likely to be diagnosed.
Postpartum depression, also known as postpartum depression, is thought to affect approximately one in seven new mothers.
Symptoms that may develop in women during pregnancy or in the first year after birth include low mood, sleep difficulties, poor concentration, feelings of guilt, and difficulty bonding with the baby.
In more serious cases, thoughts of harming oneself or harming the baby are also symptoms.
The exact cause remains unclear, but changes in hormone levels such as estrogen and progesterone after birth, as well as factors such as having a premature or unwell baby, are thought to contribute.
Although it affects at least one in 10 men, research on how the condition affects fathers is much less visible.
But after a major study earlier this year, experts say renewed attention is needed to how this affects fathers.
Experts say fathers can also suffer from postpartum depression; but this condition often looks different and is much less likely to be diagnosed
They claim that postpartum depression in men is also triggered by hormonal changes, but the symptoms may be different.
‘The perinatal period is a time of significant change for new fathers,’ said psychologist Brett A. Biller of Hackensack University Medical Center.
‘They often experience hormonal changes, including decreasing testosterone and increasing testosterone. [oestrogen] and cortisol are evolutionary mechanisms that increase attachment to their offspring but also make them more susceptible to depression and anxiety.’
While low testosterone levels (the primary male sex hormone) have been linked to depression in some studies, cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone.
Experts estimate that the father’s risk of developing postpartum depression may increase to around 50 percent if his partner is also affected.
But only around one in 10 cases is believed to be formally diagnosed, raising concerns that many fathers are suffering in silence.
A large Swedish study published earlier this year in JAMA Network Open analyzed more than a million fathers and found that diagnoses of depression and stress-related disorders increased by nearly 30 percent toward the end of the first year after birth compared to before pregnancy.
Paternity pressure can have a negative impact over time, creating a potentially problematic gap in postpartum support for men, the researchers said.
They wrote: ‘These findings suggest that fatherhood may be associated with a transient reduction in diagnoses of psychiatric disorders followed by increased vulnerability in the postnatal period; ‘This highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of the father’s mental health, particularly for depression and stress-related disorders.’
Decreased sleep, financial pressures and changes in relationships with partners can contribute to fathers’ poor mental health, Biller told medical website NewsMedicalLifeSciences.
Unlike mothers, whose symptoms often focus on sadness and withdrawal, fathers may be more likely to be irritable, angry, aggressive, or turn to alcohol and drugs.
Experts warn that this situation can strain family relationships and increase the risk of emotional and behavioral problems in children.
Research from Sweden has suggested that many fathers are thought to avoid seeking help because they do not want to draw attention away from their partner.
Researchers also suggested that underdiagnosis may be a factor rather than fewer symptoms.
‘Some fathers may minimize or internalize their own mental health symptoms or reduce help-seeking during their partner’s pregnancy to prevent distraction from the mother’s needs,’ they wrote.
Other symptoms of postpartum depression for men include social isolation, frequent headaches or stomach aches, and loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
Biller added: ‘We may wonder how common paternal depression and anxiety is, but it goes unrecognized because fathers are more reluctant or don’t know how to report and seek services to address their emotional symptoms.’
For confidential support call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support.
