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Men may not experience the pain of childbirth or need physical recovery, but the presence of a new child is a major life change. Fathers, like mothers, need to pay attention to their mental health. Exhaustion and stress, in addition to other factors, can lead to male postpartum depression.
The Effects of Postpartum Depression
Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and stressed following the birth of a child is a normal aspect of parenthood. Still, if symptoms persist or if they interfere with daily life or the ability to care for the child, then it could be postpartum depression. This is true for both mothers and fathers.
Many postpartum depression symptoms are synonymous with a major depressive disorder. Symptoms vary from person to person. You may experience some, not all, and they can vary in degree.
For men experiencing paternal depression, these are some common symptoms:
The Underdiagnosis of PPD in Men
If you’re a new father experiencing persistent and ongoing symptoms of depression, you’ll want to notify your partner, doctor, and/or mental health professional. Depression doesn’t go away on its own, so the sooner you’re diagnosed, the sooner you can begin treatment and relieve symptoms.
The diagnostic process may include clinical questioning, often using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revisions (DSM-5-TR), and/or theEdinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale(EPDS). The healthcare professional will rule out physical conditions that could cause depression or other underlying mental health conditions before making a diagnosis.
Because there’s a stigma associated with men and their mental health, especially when it comes to postpartum depression, it’s important for men to speak up and seek professional help when symptoms arise and especially when those symptoms continue for an extended period of time.
Treating Postpartum Depression
Treatment for postpartum depression is similar to treatment for clinical depression. Depending on your situation and the severity of your depression, you may be prescribed medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
As of August 4, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved Zuranolone as the first oral treatment for postpartum depression. Zuranolone is a once-a-day medication for postpartum depression taken over two weeks.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs) are also commonly used medications for postpartum depression.Antidepressants and other medications may be considered for men with postpartum depression.
If the medication causes unwanted side effects or if the depression worsens, you’ll want to notify your healthcare provider to make adjustments or find alternative treatment options.
Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) andinterpersonal therapy(IPT) are psychotherapies known to relieve symptoms of postpartum depression, but most men prefer individual or couples therapy which can help relieve symptoms.
No matter the preferred treatment, men can benefit from support groups or educational classes, especially if they’re partner is also suffering from postpartum depression or if they’re lacking support from friends, family, or community members. For best success, father-tailored models of care should be considered.
How Common Is PPD in Men?
Supporting the results of the Verywell Mind and Parents survey, prior research has shown that about 8% of fathers experience paternal depression.Unfortunately, many cases of postnatal depression go undiagnosed in men, so early diagnosis and intervention are important for the health of the father and the family.
Many factors can contribute to the development or worsening of postpartum depression, including but not limited to:
Postpartum depression can manifest differently for men than women. Extending work hours, withdrawing from the family, or losing interest in activities could all be signs that mental health support is needed.
The Effects of Ignoring Male Postpartum Depression
Narratives around the experience of postpartum depression often exclude men, even though fathers can and do experience the disorder. When male postpartum depression goes undiagnosed, it can harm the whole family.
A father’s depression can impact the child’s development and increase the child’s risk of developing a psychiatric disorder in early childhood.
Fathers don’t often get the same support as mothers following the birth of a child and may experience feelings of resentment, neglect, or unreasonable gender expectations.
Like mothers, fathers need a strong support system throughout the perinatal period and in the early stages of parenthood.
Coping With PPD
When men suffer from postpartum depression, it can impact their ability to function and properly care for their partner and child.
In addition to maintaining healthy self-care habits, which can include meditation or therapy, Tishman recommends:
For men, it may be difficult to ask for help, especially when their partner is going through so many changes and needs their support.
While it’s important to care for your partner and child following childbirth, fathers need to recognize their own mental health needs and find healthy ways to cope with symptoms of depression. Talking to a therapist or joining a support group of other fathers can help.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Male postpartum depression can go undiagnosed for many month, but it is treatable. If you’re a new father experiencing symptoms of depression, talk to your primary care physician or a mental health professional.
If your loved one expresses concern over your mental health, then it’s important to seek professional help so you can better care for yourself, your partner, and your new child.
7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Scarff JR.Postpartum depression in men.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):11-14.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Oral Treatment for Postpartum Depression.Hantsoo L, Ward-O’Brien D, Czarkowski KA, Gueorguieva R, Price LH, Epperson CN.A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of sertraline for postpartum depression.Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2014;231(5):939-948.O’Brien AP, McNeil KA, Fletcher R, et al.New fathers’ perinatal depression and anxiety—treatment options: an integrative review.Am J Mens Health. 2017;11(4):863-876.Cameron EE, Sedov ID, Tomfohr-Madsen LM.Prevalence of paternal depression in pregnancy and the postpartum: An updated meta-analysis.J Affect Disord. 2016;206:189-203.Gentile S, Fusco ML.Untreated perinatal paternal depression: Effects on offspring.Psychiatry Res. 2017;252:325-332. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.064Eddy B, Poll V, Whiting J, Clevesy M.Forgotten fathers: postpartum depression in men.Journal of Family Issues. 2019;40(8):1001-1017.
7 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Scarff JR.Postpartum depression in men.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):11-14.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Oral Treatment for Postpartum Depression.Hantsoo L, Ward-O’Brien D, Czarkowski KA, Gueorguieva R, Price LH, Epperson CN.A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of sertraline for postpartum depression.Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2014;231(5):939-948.O’Brien AP, McNeil KA, Fletcher R, et al.New fathers’ perinatal depression and anxiety—treatment options: an integrative review.Am J Mens Health. 2017;11(4):863-876.Cameron EE, Sedov ID, Tomfohr-Madsen LM.Prevalence of paternal depression in pregnancy and the postpartum: An updated meta-analysis.J Affect Disord. 2016;206:189-203.Gentile S, Fusco ML.Untreated perinatal paternal depression: Effects on offspring.Psychiatry Res. 2017;252:325-332. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.064Eddy B, Poll V, Whiting J, Clevesy M.Forgotten fathers: postpartum depression in men.Journal of Family Issues. 2019;40(8):1001-1017.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Scarff JR.Postpartum depression in men.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):11-14.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Oral Treatment for Postpartum Depression.Hantsoo L, Ward-O’Brien D, Czarkowski KA, Gueorguieva R, Price LH, Epperson CN.A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of sertraline for postpartum depression.Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2014;231(5):939-948.O’Brien AP, McNeil KA, Fletcher R, et al.New fathers’ perinatal depression and anxiety—treatment options: an integrative review.Am J Mens Health. 2017;11(4):863-876.Cameron EE, Sedov ID, Tomfohr-Madsen LM.Prevalence of paternal depression in pregnancy and the postpartum: An updated meta-analysis.J Affect Disord. 2016;206:189-203.Gentile S, Fusco ML.Untreated perinatal paternal depression: Effects on offspring.Psychiatry Res. 2017;252:325-332. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.064Eddy B, Poll V, Whiting J, Clevesy M.Forgotten fathers: postpartum depression in men.Journal of Family Issues. 2019;40(8):1001-1017.
Scarff JR.Postpartum depression in men.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):11-14.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Oral Treatment for Postpartum Depression.
Hantsoo L, Ward-O’Brien D, Czarkowski KA, Gueorguieva R, Price LH, Epperson CN.A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of sertraline for postpartum depression.Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2014;231(5):939-948.
O’Brien AP, McNeil KA, Fletcher R, et al.New fathers’ perinatal depression and anxiety—treatment options: an integrative review.Am J Mens Health. 2017;11(4):863-876.
Cameron EE, Sedov ID, Tomfohr-Madsen LM.Prevalence of paternal depression in pregnancy and the postpartum: An updated meta-analysis.J Affect Disord. 2016;206:189-203.
Gentile S, Fusco ML.Untreated perinatal paternal depression: Effects on offspring.Psychiatry Res. 2017;252:325-332. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.064
Eddy B, Poll V, Whiting J, Clevesy M.Forgotten fathers: postpartum depression in men.Journal of Family Issues. 2019;40(8):1001-1017.
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