As parents step into parenthood, both men and women go through various changes, they have to balance these changes with their personal, societal, economic and work-related needs. This whole process leads to growth and development while on the other side, the sudden changes can lead to an increase in stress, anxiety and depression. (Frevert, Cierpka, & Joraschky, 2008). All these factors combined, this can lead to postpartum depression among women. Studies have shown a prevalence rate of 10-20% (Gavin et al., 2005, O’Hara, 2009) which can lead to experiencing disturbance in sleep, anxiety, poor marital relationships and even suicidal thoughts. The World Health Organization (WHO) has largely focused on delivering services for maternal and child health, however there are no such programmes aimed at addressing issues pertaining to paternal mental health yet.
Complexities of Fatherhood
 Fatherhood is a journey filled with the joy of the coming of the newborn. Fatherhood is not only essentially about the joy and the excitement but also the stress experienced by the father. Emotional shifts and adapting to the changes can be strenuous but often, these are overlooked and remain a taboo topic in the society– therefore, postpartum struggles for men often remain misunderstood. The truth is, men too experience postpartum depression. We often feel postpartum depression is only prevalent in women but the reality is quite the opposite. Men also experience male postpartum depression, also known as paternal postpartum depression, which is barely talked about and therefore, it remains an unspoken topic in the society.Â
Men stepping into fatherhood can have baby blues just like the mothers– with sleep disturbances and getting used to new roles and responsibilities. Some research studies suggest that 8-10% of fathers experience paternal postpartum development (Scarff JR. Postpartum Depression in Men. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019 May) while some studies also estimate an even higher prevalence rate. Men develop depressive symptoms during the postpartum period but paternal postpartum depression is less studied. However, over the past years, there has been an emerging interest in studying depressive symptoms in men during the prenatal period.Â
What is Paternal Postpartum Depression?Â
Paternal postpartum depression (PPD) is a mental health condition which affects new fathers after the birth of their child. The symptoms can be - anger, irritability, risk-taking behaviours including alcohol and substance use, disturbed sleep, poor concentration, withdrawal from family, physical disturbances and suicidal thoughts. Although it's less discussed, it is a significant mental health issue which can cause dysfunction with their partner and the family as a whole. Seeking professional help and considering treatment options are essential for addressing the same.
How Postpartum Depression is Different in Men Compared to Women?
 Postpartum depression among women is widely studied while postpartum depression among men is less studied due to stigma and lack of awareness. Although both men and women go through the same situation, the causes are different as the factors which cause postpartum depression in women are mainly biological and hormonal changes due to fluctuation in estrogen and progesterone levels after birth. Additionally, physical or social factors can also play a role. While factors which lead to Postpartum depression in men are different– this can include an increase in stress, lack of emotional support, and even reduced intimacy with their partner. The difference also can be seen extended to the symptoms in women and men, where women with postpartum depression experience persistent sadness, difficulty bonding with the baby, loss of appetite and fatigue while men experience irritability, anger, emotional withdrawal and indulging in risky behaviours like substance and alcohol usage.
What is the Treatment?
Women are most likely to be screened for postpartum depression during regular check-ups due to the existing awareness surrounding postpartum depression in women. Various treatments like therapy, medication and support groups are formed for the mothers. However, for men, the situation is not the same as they face barriers to diagnosis, often due to societal norms which restrict them from seeking mental health support. In society, emotional vulnerability is often viewed as a sign of weakness which further threatens men's mental health. Men going through Paternal postpartum depression require a multimodal approach which shall include - psychotherapy, support groups, family therapy sessions, psychoeducation, lifestyle modification, medication and workplace support to help fathers cope with the phase. Furthermore, there exists a gap between awareness and treatment and this can be tackled by screening both the parents, educating the healthcare professionals, promoting awareness, encouraging open discussions and providing interventions.Â
Conclusion
Paternal postpartum depression among fathers is never talked about and their mental health takes a back seat. While much of the attention is focused on the mother, the father’s emotional and psychological needs are not being taken care of, which may lead them to experience anxiety, feel depressed or even have suicidal thoughts. The changes and the new responsibilities along with societal expectations can put men in the hot seat with increasing pressure. The effect of Paternal postpartum depression can also affect the overall family dynamics if not treated on time.
To avoid such situations families and communities need awareness and promote open discussions about mens’ emotional needs and challenges to address the problems and provide support. Thus creating an environment that also focuses on the emotional well-being of the men and thereby promoting the bond between the family members.Â
It's only by promoting awareness and providing support we can build a society where fathers can be strong but also vulnerable and feel comfortable in seeking support for their emotional and psychological needs.Â
References -Â
Scarff JR. Postpartum Depression in Men. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019 May 1;16(5-6):11-14. PMID: 31440396; PMCID: PMC6659987.