Postpartum Depression in Fathers: A Rising Awareness
About 1 in 7 new mothers in the United States experiences postpartum depression, and more awareness is being brought to the fact that new fathers can also be affected. Postpartum depression symptoms in men include an increase in irritability, anger, isolation, and increased risky behavior.
Physiological and environmental factors can contribute to a man’s postpartum depression. While hormone levels do not fluctuate as dramatically in men as they do in women, testosterone levels may decrease during and after a partner’s pregnancy. Additionally, skin-to-skin contact with the baby, poor sleep, and new parent worries can all take a toll on a man’s mental health.
Studies show that men are more likely to develop postpartum depression during the first 3 to 6 months after a child’s birth, but it can occur at any time. Postpartum depression can have a lasting and negative impact on a child.
Dr. Jon LaPook, CBS News chief medical correspondent, emphasizes the importance of being aware of this condition. As research continues to shed light on postpartum depression in fathers, it becomes increasingly clear that men are just as susceptible as women to mental health struggles in the postpartum period.