Did you know that postpartum depression in dads is real and a serious challenge that often goes unnoticed? However, a challenge for dads that is not regularly recognized are the psychological struggles that can occur in the early years of fatherhood: 10-25% of men will experience a Postpartum Mood Disorder (PPMD).
The risk for men increases to 50% if the other parent develops a PPMD. This means that each year approximately 1,000-2,000 men in Portland, Oregon (just the city), and 400,000-1,000,000 men in the United States will develop postpartum depression or anxiety. The early stages of parenthood are not easy, and it’s even harder if you’re navigating a mental health disorder.
What Is a Postpartum Mood Disorder?
PPMD is a stress reaction with psychological and physiological symptoms that occur within the year after a child’s birth (though in some cases it starts before birth, and sometimes symptoms present later). PPMD happens to parents regardless if they are the biological parent.
The most common PPMDs are Postpartum Depression, and Postpartum Anxiety. Men tend to develop postpartum symptoms later than women (0-3 month peak), with the majority of men experiencing peak symptoms between 6 months to 1 year after the birth (or adoption) of their child.
The Symptoms of Postpartum Mood Disorders in Fathers
PPMD looks almost exactly the same as other Depressive and Anxiety Disorders, though men tend to express symptoms differently than women. Symptoms and risks are outlined below; please note that postpartum depression in dads who is depressed or anxious won’t experience all of these symptoms. Some only display a few of them, others many, and they can fluctuate over time.
Symptoms of Depression
- Depressed, sad, empty, dull, irritable, angry, or hopeless mood
- Loss of interest, or pleasure in normal activities.
- Significant unintentional weight gain or loss.
- Decrease or increase in appetite.
- Insomnia, or sleeping too much
- Movement seems slowed, delayed, or agitated
- Fatigue, exhaustions, lack of energy
- Diminished concentration, indecisiveness, problems with memory, or thinking
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Thoughts that you’d be better off dead, suicidal ideation
Symptoms of Anxiety
- Excessive worry, apprehension, anxiety or fear
- Difficulty controlling the worry, racing thoughts, easy to get lost in rumination
- Restlessness, feeling keyed up, feeling tense, muscle tension, body pain
- Easily overwhelmed, fatigued, or irritable
- Difficulty concentrating, mind easily can go blank
- Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, feeling restless
Unique Symptoms of Postpartum Mood Depression in Men
- Men often cope by becoming workaholics/working constantly. Increased worry over productivity at work.
- Increased substance use, (tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, pain medicine, or other substances.)
- Men are more likely to report feeling irritable, frustrated, or angry rather than sadness.
- Men are more likely to report fatigue/exhaustion, feeling more easily stressed, or feeling more easily discouraged than depression, guilt, feelings of being overwhelmed or anxiety.
- Reports of headaches, stomachaches, digestive issues, or body pain
- Isolating from family or friends
- Violent behavior or thoughts
Risk Factors for Postpartum Mood Disorders in Men
- If partner has a Postpartum Mood Disorder
- Personal history of Depression or Anxiety Disorder
- Poor relationship with parents or in-laws
- Financial Struggles
- A sense of being excluded from mother or baby
- Being a victim of violence, or growing up in a household with violence
- Experiencing abuse as a child
Why do Men Develop Postpartum Mood Disorders?
The vast majority of mental health disorders stem from a stress reaction. Men also faces many challenges as they enter fatherhood. A new baby usually means: sleep deprivation, financial struggles, changes in family and relationship dynamics, and challenges with work-life-family balance.
New fathers experience a drop in testosterone which can affect energy and mood. New fathers can also experience worry about properly bonding with the baby, uncertainty of their role in the family, feeling like an outsider, isolation from social supports, and difficulty with expressing emotions. All of these challenges can make early fatherhood very overwhelming, leading to the development of postpartum depression in dads.
Additionally, the nature of our culture with its toxic masculinity means we do not teach men how to be nurturing, emotionally expressive, or the skills to take care of a newborn. Males are taught that the proper emotions to express are stoicism, happiness, or anger.
The messages are that men should be heroic, hide their pain, and not demonstrate any vulnerability. Meanwhile, the reality is that men experience the same diversity of emotions as women, and they develop mental health disorders, including postpartum depression in dads, at the same rate as women.
Men, however, will seek therapy less often than women, and they tend to enter treatment once symptoms are more severe. If you have any mental health concerns, please know that these are normal responses, you are not alone, and that seeking help is an act of bravery.
Why is it Important to Treat Fathers for Postpartum Mood Disorders?
On an individual level, mental health issues can cause problems with overall life satisfaction, functioning, and the health of relationships. Untreated mental health issues are associated with increases in developing heart disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, and shortened life expectancy. Men with untreated postpartum depression are more likely to commit domestic violence, and more likely to commit suicide.
In addition to affecting the father, postpartum mood disorders create wellness problems in children. Children of parents with untreated mental health disorders are more likely to develop problems with learning, emotions, physical health, and behavior which can appear as early as age 5. Children of parents with untreated mental health disorders are more likely to develop childhood and teen onset depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideations. Early detection and treatment of postpartum depression and anxiety in fathers is important for the child’s long-term health and wellness.
How Can New Dads Get More Support?
While there are many ways to manage postpartum mood disorders, one of the most valuable yet often overlooked resources for new fathers is a postpartum doula. Postpartum doulas are not just for moms—they offer guidance, emotional support, and hands-on assistance to dads as they navigate early parenthood. From helping dads feel more confident in newborn care to ensuring they get the rest and reassurance they need, postpartum doulas play a crucial role in reducing stress and preventing isolation.
To learn more about how a postpartum doula can make a difference for new fathers, check out our blog: 5 Ways a Postpartum Doula Helps New Dads.
What are the Treatment Options for Postpartum Depression in Dad’s?
There are a number of things you can do to help treat a postpartum mood disorder. This starts with self-care. Try to get a good amount of sleep and rest (within reason as a parent), eat well, practice relaxation, get regular exercise, and practice stress management. Great stress management activities include delegating responsibilities, yoga, massage, meditation, or journaling. Know that it’s ok to give yourself breaks at work, home, and all other life domains.
Depression and Anxiety often cause us to isolate from our family, friends, and community. Isolation tends to make these conditions worse. Connect with your community, open up about your own struggles with your support system, and know that it’s ok to lean on others.
If you’re worried about being an outsider in your family, talk with your partner, let them know it’s important to you to be involved and bond with your child. If you’re feeling worried about not knowing what to do, taking a parenting class or learning about parenting skills and child development can be helpful.
You can also seek out therapy. Counseling with a postpartum expert is a great way to get relief, and return to feeling like your best self. You can receive therapy individually, as a couple, or as a family. Other professional treatment options can include getting medications from a psychiatrist or your physician, or acupuncture to manage depression or anxiety.
If symptoms are so severe you’re worried about hurting yourself, your partner, or the baby you can call the Suicide Hotline at (800) 273-8255, text CONNECT to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or go to your local Emergency Room. If you live in Multnomah County, you may call the local crisis line at 503-988-4888.
About the Author & Portland Postpartum Depression Therapist
Jonathan Fenton NCC, MA, LPC-Intern is a therapist at Mindful Healing Portland LLC. He enjoys the healing process and works with individuals and couples. Jonathan specializes in treating Postpartum Mood Disorders, Trauma, Chronic Pain, Depression and Anxiety.
He was the first male practitioner to work at the postpartum wellness center SPHD outside of Chicago. There he specialized in treating PPMD in women and men, ran support groups, and provided educational talks about PPMD in men to local health providers. Jonathan is also a published author on the mood-micronutrient connection.
Learn more about Mindful Healing Portland LLC at http://Mindfulhealingportland.com
Want your partner to do MORE than just give you ice chips?!