Can men get postnatal depression?

For decades, health professionals have been aware of a condition known as postnatal, or postpartum, depression. This is a mental health condition that is similar to depression, but arises within a year of a baby's birth. Symptoms can include feeling low or "empty", lacking energy, and feeling little joy in what used to bring you pleasure. But it can also include behaviours like alcohol abuse or irritability, or physical symptoms, like headaches.

Often, postnatal depression has been associated exclusively with mothers. Since mothers bear the brunt of the physiological and hormonal changes that come with birth, many researchers and physicians did not even consider that fathers, too, could go through something similar.

Today, however, we know better. In fact, it is now estimated that around one in ten fathers experience postnatal depression.

This should not be too surprising. Recent scientific research has found that it isn't just the mother who goes through a physiological transformation. Involved fathers do, too. For example, father's hormones change, even as early as their partner's pregnancy.  Even their brain structure can change.

Men also go through many of the life transformations that women do when they become parents. They may experience more disturbed sleep or sleep deprivation, stress, and the overwhelm of having more responsibilities, such as looking after the baby, or feeling that they need to financially provide more for their family. They may also experience a shift in their relationship with their partner, and in the family dynamic. They may re-evaluate their identities and priorities in life.

All of this is normal. But all of these big changes in fathers' lives can put them at risk of developing postnatal depression, too.

Making matters worse, because some people do not think male postnatal depression exists, and because men are less likely than women to seek mental health support in general, as with mothers, it can go undiagnosed.

As with postnatal depression in women, this can lead to tragic consequences. It can also impact the rest of the family, including children themselves. Preschoolers, for example, have been found to have more behavioural and developmental challenges if their father was depressed in their first year of life.

This is why it is so important that fathers are encouraged to seek help.

The symptoms and risk factors of male postnatal depression

Men experiencing postnatal depression may experience similar symptoms to mothers. These might be, for example, feeling low, an inability to experience joy or pleasure, fatigue, having trouble concentrating, lacking confidence, struggling to sleep, or appetite changes. You can read more about  the symptoms of postpartum depression in women, and how to find support, here.

However, there are other depression symptoms that tend to be more common in men than in women. Knowing what these are can help identify men who might be experiencing postnatal depression, and get them the right support.

This is even more important because, in men, these symptoms can sometimes be more subtle.

Symptoms of male postnatal depression include:

• a lack of confidence, such as in their ability to be a father
• avoiding caregiving activities
• a feeling of being 'trapped'
• withdrawal from social situations
• acting indecisive, or overly rigid
• irritability, anger, or cynicism
• alcohol or drug use
• negative parenting behaviours, such as a lack of warmth or responsiveness
• physical ailments, such as stomach problems, appetite changes, or headaches
• difficulty sleeping
• increased partner conflict
• aggression or violent behaviour

Men are most at risk of developing postnatal depression three to six months after birth. Fathers who are the most at risk are those who:

• have had depression in the past
• have a partner with postnatal depression
• lack social support
• are in a difficult or dissatisfying relationship with their partner
• are unemployed or have financial difficulties
• have a child with special needs
• are in poor physical health

An increasing number of researchers and health practitioners are urging that, while all fathers should be screened by health professionals for symptoms of postnatal depression or other mental health conditions, there should be special attention paid to dads who are most at risk.

If you, or someone you know, might have postnatal depression, it is important to seek support. This may include:

• using a mental health screening tool
• speaking to your healthcare practitioner
• reaching out to a mental health support group
• getting involved with a support group for fathers
• understanding and nonjudgment, telling them how you feel
• if you are experiencing a mental health emergency, contact emergency services.