Is it true new fathers can experience postpartum depression?

Paternal postpartum depression is a very real condition that can happen any time after the birth or adoption of a baby. Many people don’t realize that one in ten dads develop depression.  It may start during your partner’s pregnancy, go away after the baby’s birth, and come back 3-6 months later.  In fact research shows that fathers often start to develop depressive symptoms later in the postpartum period compared to mothers.

June 18^th, 2018 is International Fathers’ Mental Health Day

You may feel:

• overwhelmed with work and financial worries
• stressed with caring for your new baby and the rest of the family
• tired and frustrated that your partners’ depression isn’t going away
• lonely and left out because family and friends may only ask about your partner and baby and not ask about how you are doing
• wanting to be alone and pull away from family and friends

Be aware of these feelings and don’t ignore them, you may be experiencing postpartum depression.

7 Tips on taking care of yourself:

• Tell your partner how you are feeling. It is normal to feel helpless and worry that you are unable to help her
• Get support from family and friends. You may feel frustrated because you were not ready to deal with postpartum depression
• Eat healthy foods
• Think about getting counselling
• Get enough sleep
• Be active
• See your doctor if you begin to feel depressed, paternal postpartum depression is very real.

Don’t ignore your own needs…you are a part of her recovery!

Here’s a video on how partners play an important role in providing support and how they can take care of themselves:

Check out our website for more information.  If you have any concerns or questions about paternal postpartum depression, connect with your health care provider and feel free to eChat with a nurse or call (416) 338-7600.