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Men’s postpartum depression: The hidden struggle impacting families

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Published  January 2, 2025 8:51am CST
Health
FOX 32 Chicago

Men’s postpartum depression: The hidden struggle impacting families

Postpartum depression is not exclusive to women; 10% of new dads also experience it, yet it remains largely overlooked.

The Brief

    • Postpartum depression is not exclusive to women; 10% of new dads also experience it, yet it remains largely overlooked.
    • Cultural norms often discourage men from expressing emotions like sadness, pushing them toward less healthy coping mechanisms.
    • Addressing paternal depression is crucial, as it significantly impacts a child’s development, even when maternal depression is managed.

CHICAGO - Most new moms experience the "baby blues," which include mood swings, sleepless nights, and other challenges. However, it's not just women who face these struggles—men do too, though it's rarely discussed. In fact, 10% of new dads experience postpartum depression.

"It's been a topic that's overlooked," said Dr. Sheehan Fisher of Northwestern Medicine. "It’s a difficult because men are at a time where they're trying to support the mom through that experience and really focus on her."

Having a kid is a life-changing experience for both parents. Women go through physical and mental changes. Studies show 20% of new moms suffer from postpartum depression. It’s something that can affect new dads, as well.

"What we know is that culturally, men are not as encouraged to express sadness or crying," Fisher said. "It's almost socially acceptable for them to be feeling aggressive or for them to be engaged in hypersexuality. Even substance or alcohol abuse to cope with their symptoms."

Fisher also shared some tips on how men can care share their struggles with their partner. 

"Maybe starting off with saying, 'I'm feeling a little more stressed. I don't really feel like myself. I feel like it's a little harder for me to operate or function the way I normally would.' But then if they have a receptive partner, even sharing some of the deeper emotions. I think that many times when I work with moms, they wish their partner would express their deeper emotions with them more, so they don't feel alone in their experience, too. So, looking at it as a collaborative experience that we can actually share with one another. What we're going through and even admit softer emotions like feeling sadness or feeling down or even regret. Also other things that come up that people don't feel as socially acceptable to admit to," Fisher said.

Men are at the highest risk for developing depression around three to six months postpartum. That added stress has a direct impact on the first five years of the child’s life. 

"That child will have a higher risk of what we call internalizing behaviors, which is sadness and anxiety, or even externalizing behaviors like aggression and misbehavior," Fisher said. "I did a study awhile back that showed that after accounting for the mother's depression, the father’s depression had a unique impact on the child. This means, even if we get the mother well and do all the support for her, but don't address the father, that child is still at risk."

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