Postpartum Depression–Not For Women Only
Postpartum depression (PPD) is most often associated with women; however, this emotional overwhelming response to a newborn baby can also be experienced by men. According to studies, anywhere from 1,000 to 2,700 new dads in the United States become depressed every day. For men, paternal postnatal depression, as it’s termed, can be as debilitating as postpartum depression is for the new mom.
Women who have dealt with infertility are thought to be five times more likely to develop PPD. While specific numbers for men who have dealt with male infertility are not readily available, the same risk factors affecting the new mother affect the father.
Anxiety and stress prior to birth contribute to postpartum depression. Emotional, physical and financial considerations leading to the eventual birth of a child often overwhelm infertile couples putting them at higher risk for PPD.
Fathers experiencing male infertility deal with their own fears and anxieties. Many cultures also view fatherhood as a reflection of one’s manhood. Once conception is achieved, stressful factors may change in name, but the emotional drain follows into the actual onset of parenthood.
Thankfully, help is out there for dad’s dealing with postpartum depression. Professional counseling helps manage this emotional response to new fatherhood before it becomes a deeper issue within parenting.