Post Natal Depression in Dad's
Please remember that amongst the *Mums World* team there areNO medical professionals. Information has been collated from reputable websiteswhich will be listed at the end. If you are in doubt we recommendtalking to your GP, midwife/health visitor or in more urgent circumstancescontact NHS Direct. Becks, Dani, and Nic.
What are potential causes of postnataldepression among dads?
Change in lifestyle/relationships
Lack of sleep
Financial Pressure
Age
Increased workload at home
Increased pressures of fatherhood
Twofactors that DO have a significant impact on Dad’s experiencing PND:
Strained relationshipwith partner
It would appear that newdads are more prone to depression, both antenatally and postnatally, if therelationship they have with their partner has been strained throughout thepregnancy.
Partner experiencingpostnatal depression
There is also a moderatebut clear link between a dad experiencing depression and his partner alsosuffering from depression.
How does postnataldepression affect relationships?
Encouragingmums to support dads in their parenting choices and style may also be helpful.Dads who feel supported by their partners in finding their own ways of caringfor their baby are likely to develop a strong connection to their babies andare also unlikely to develop depression.
I think I’msuffering from PND – how can I helpmyself? The following self-help ideas can help in overcoming PND:
Recognise that you maysometimes feel down or low about being a parent. Allow time for yourself, awayfrom work and family.
Make sure to talk toyour partner, family and friends about how you are feeling. Focus on theenjoyable aspects of parenting.
Try to maintain anyimportant hobbies or social events. It is also important to avoid negativecoping strategies, such as drinking too much or working too hard and stayingaway from home.
Although Postnatal Depression has mainly beenseen as a problem for mothers which causes are partly physiological, it is nowbecoming more increasingly accepted that new fathers also experience perinataldepression and it is now receiving more social recognition.
Dads can feel left outas Mums tend to be the focus of increased attention from health professionalsand friends and family. Dads can experience both depression and anxiety as aresult of these new life changing experiences.
There tends to be acultural denial of Postnatal Depression in men.
Women often feel that they have done the hard work by carrying the unborn babyfor 9 months and then going through the pain of labour. With these often verydifficult life transitions, they have the belief that their husband / partnerwill be 'The Strong One' and be unaffected by this life changing experience.This can make it very difficult for men to admit that anything is wrong, evento themselves.
Treatment for dads with postnatal depression
It is recommended that the Dad canspeak to their GP and discuss how they are feeling, and be true about the extentof your feelings. Your GP may recommend attending counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help cometo terms with your emotions and understand the triggers points if you arefeeling aggressive. Your GP can also prescribe a course of antidepressants tohelp your mood improve.
Support for dads with postnatal depression
Family and friend can play a huge partin helping with recovery, be honest with them about how you are feeling, askthem to look after your baby for a couple of hours to allow you to do anactivity you enjoyed previously or socialise with your friends.
Many thanks to thefollowing websites which we have used to gather this information:
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