Can a Father Have Postpartum Depression?

Health

When the baby is born, the new role that the mother takes can trigger feelings of depression, fear, anxiety, sadness, and even depression. However, it is undeniable that a father also undergoes many changes after the arrival of the baby. Just like Mom, Dad can also experience depression after the Little One comes into the world. Mood disorders experienced by a father after the baby is born are known as postpartum depression, or in medical parlance it is called paternal perinatal depression. You can treat depression by visiting our website.

Depression is arguably a common thing, even affecting about 25% of men worldwide, especially in the first year after the wife gives birth. The causes also vary, ranging from fear of new responsibilities, lack of relationship with children, financial problems, lack of sleep, lack of attention from partners, to decreased sexual activity after giving birth. Although postpartum depression in men is quite common, the changes that occur in sufferers are often not recognized as depression, which should be discovered and addressed. If women often express their feelings by crying and telling their problems, men don’t. As a result, men who experience depression can appear to be in fine condition, when in fact they are not.

Because it is often not realized, depression in men is often ignored and does not get the proper treatment. In fact, depression in men can be more dangerous than depression in women. The effects that can occur in men with postpartum depression include:

Greater risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke
Greater risk of dying in a suicide attempt
High risk of having an accident due to consuming alcoholic beverages or doing impulsive actions
Higher risk of using drugs
Can’t protect family or abandon family

Postpartum depression not only has an impact on the father, but also on the mother and the baby. If depression in Dad is not addressed immediately, it is not impossible that Mom and Dad will continue to get into fights, which can lead to domestic violence or even divorce. In the long term, depression in the father can also affect the growth and development of the little one. When depressed, men’s moods become erratic and there is a tendency to withdraw from the family.

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