Experts say that postpartum depression is often misdiagnosed as general depression, and highlight the need for support groups for dads
Are you a new father? Do you feel angry or upset all the time? Do you sometimes regret becoming a father? Chances are that you could be suffering from Postpartum Depression (PPD), a type of clinical depression that can affect parents after childbirth. It is characterised by sadness, low energy, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, as well as anxiety and irritability. However, PPD in men is often misdiagnosed as general depression given how PPD is usually associated only with women because their symptoms include more hormonal and chemical changes along with the psychological and behavioural changes. But fathers are not immune to it.
Dr Anjana Rao Kavoor, Consultant Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital Bangalore says, “Postpartum depression in men is only recently beginning to be recognised and researched. International studies have shown that the prevalence of depression in recent fathers can range between 4 per cent and 25 per cent within the first 12 months of childbirth.” Paternal PPD develops gradually over weeks, at a slower rate as compared to maternal PPD. Majority of the cases develop within the first six months of childbirth. Hormonal changes in fathers and a significant change in their life after childbirth have been found to be risk factors for paternal PPD. “Hormone level such as that of testosterone tends to decrease over time during the partner’s pregnancy and the period after childbirth,” she explains.
Men with a history of previous mental illness, men whose partners are suffering from PPD and those who suffer from low self-esteem are most prone to PPD. Behaviour commonly associated with PPD in men includes withdrawal or avoidance, indecisiveness, cynicism, anger attacks, irritability, drug use, increased marital conflict, partner violence and negative parenting behaviour as some of the important symptoms of this condition. Often a lot of warning signs and risk factors go unnoticed in men as they may not have the ability to articulate this to their partners and families.
“Men suffering from depression after their child’s birth may feel less competent to deal with how their entire life gets reoriented around the newborn. They may start feeling less worthy of love and start judging themselves or their partners harshly,” says Deepak Kashyap, a counselling psychologist based in Mumbai. “Fathers suffering from PPD engage like repressive patients in ruminative thinking and this leads to a downward spiral where anxiety and low self-esteem form a dysfunctional mix,” explains Kashyap.
According to Dr Kavoor, “Active discussion in couples regarding the wait and preparation for their baby will increase the father’s involvement in parenting and reduce his stress of having to take up the role of a new father. Sharing the parenting roles with fathers may also reduce their feelings of isolation and reduce difficult feelings towards the baby.” It is also important to get professional help and social support. “Communicating with other new fathers and building an informal support group may also help deal with depression while seeking professional help,” says Kashyap.
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