Signs of Postpartum Depression and Anxiety in Men
Men and women can experience depression very differently. Here are some symptoms that are common in men:
- Increased anger and conflict with others
- Increased use of alcohol or prescription/street drugs
- Frustration or irritability
- Violent behaviour
- Significant weight gain or loss
- Isolation from family and friends
- Being easily stressed
- Impulsiveness or risk taking (this kind of behaviour can include reckless driving or extramarital affairs)
- Feeling discouraged; cynicism
- Increase in complaints about physical problems, like headaches, digestion problems or pain
- Problems with concentration or motivation
- Loss of interest in work, hobbies and/or sex
- Working constantly
- Concerns about productivity and functioning at work or school
- Fatigue
- Feeling sad or crying for no reason
- Conflict between how you feel you should be as a man and how you are
- Thoughts of suicide or death
Some of the factors that can contribute to depression in new or soon-to-be fathers include:
- Personal history of depression
- Family history of depression
- Worries about being a parent
- Feeling overwhelmed with expectations in your role at work and your role as a father
- Financial problems
- Lack of social and/or emotional support
- Stress in relationship with family or spouse
- Missing attention and/or sex from your partner
- Stressful birthing experience
- Lack of sleep after the baby is born
- Feeling excluded from the bond between mom and baby
- Being a new immigrant to Canada
Videos:
Pablo: A difficult balance
Pablo discusses the difficulty of balancing home and family obligations, particularly when one partner has PPD/A, and why doing so is vital.
To view video with written transcript, click here.
Allen: What PPD/A is
Allen describes his emotionally stressful and exhausting postpartum experience, which ultimately resulted in significant personal change.
To view video with written transcript, click here.
Need help? See: