Men Also Suffer From Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a condition especially associated with women. However, specialists say that men also suffer from it. According to WHO figures, 40% of mothers suffer from this type of depression. In the case of men, it reaches a maximum of 10%.

When the baby is born, many changes are generated on a personal, social and family level. No one doubts the joy that comes with the arrival of a child, but sometimes our emotions betray us. As we know, mothers are the ones who face the most changes, but we are not the only ones. The life of the couple is completely transformed by the birth of a baby.

It is understood that male postpartum depression does not occur in the same way as female. That is, the symptoms are different. When we talk about depression, we usually associate it with a picture of sadness. However, in men it is not characterized by depressed moods; on the contrary, it is evidenced by aggressiveness and irritability.

How does postpartum depression manifest in men?

One of the main characteristics that affect women when they suffer depression after giving birth, is lack of motivation and isolation. In the case of men, this type of disease has the same origins but does not manifest itself in the same way. Therefore, the man who suffers from this problem may also feel sadness and dejection, but he manifests it in a different way.

It is estimated between 4% and 10% of cases of men with postpartum depression. It usually occurs between the first three and six months after the baby is born. The woman’s effort is physical and psychological during pregnancy, which generates emotional congestion in the puerperium. However, men struggle mentally and emotionally at this stage as well.

Lucía Galán, pediatrician and author of books such as You are a wonderful mother and The best of our lives; explains the psychological effects on men when their partner is pregnant. According to the specialist, fatherhood exerts a lot of pressure on men. Changes in your life become apparent during pregnancy, and they promise to be permanent.

The pediatrician tells us that her consultations have been attended by parents with the same concerns as mothers. They are also stressed by the evolution of the newborn, a possible illness or not knowing how to take care of it. However, the main causes of depression are not being able to find answers and feeling displaced.

Characteristics of the condition

It is difficult to see a man suffering from postpartum depression, crying in the corners. However, his condition is evidenced in different ways. For example, not knowing how to help your partner, your partner tends to show apathy. Other features of their behavior can be the following.

• Aggressiveness
• Demotivation
• Drastic mood swings
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Worry
• Lack of energy

Most of these symptoms can be clearly noticeable, we just can’t always interpret them correctly at home. The doctor claims that most of her male patients are not very open with her about their problem. However, over time they begin to vent.

They express fears related to the baby and the relationship. In addition, it is very difficult for a man to understand how the female body works, which is why it disturbs them to see how it transforms. According to the author, men are concerned that their partner will not recover properly. They think they may feel worse than they really do.

The main challenge is to understand exclusion

It’s not that they feel left out, in fact they are. Although our partner is so important to us even after we have children, the baby will be a priority postpartum. It is complex to deal with this situation, and no one can judge the mother who turns to her new baby. Therefore, in most activities, the father takes a back seat.

Being mothers or fathers does not prevent us from feeling and thinking like humans. Although we recognize the changes at the brain level in mothers, they can reason normally. Without neglecting the needs of the newborn, the priority over ourselves is not easy to displace. For this reason, even as a parent he knows and feels that he is important too.

The doctor explains that the father does not know what it is until his son is born. That is, while the mother is emotionally, mentally and physically transformed to be a mother, the man does not. So, fatherhood comes to him in one fell swoop. If you are a newcomer, you have no idea what to expect; his role at this stage was unthinkable.

When men attend consultations they are much clearer than women, says Galán. They take less time, because they arrive with their clear approaches, without being overwhelmed by emotions like us. His main advice is to avoid pushing yourself too hard.

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