PND – not just women’s business.

There’s been a bit in the media lately about men and post-natal depression. Research is suggesting that between three and ten percent of men may experience symptoms of depression during their partner’s pregnancy or in the first year of fatherhood. Now, I know that there are some out there who will say that this is a sign of the psychology “industry” going mad and pathologising normal experience, and still others who will cry that it’s typical male behaviour, making pregnancy and childbirth “all about them!” But, if we’re honest, we all know that having a baby is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, upheaval to personal identity, social role, body image, relationship dynamics, sex drive, financial status and sleep patterns that most of us will ever experience. How could it fail to impact the mental health of fathers as well?

Although the topic of post-natal depression continues to be a difficult one for women to speak up about, with our sense of worth often so closely tied to our feelings about our performance as mothers, at least during pregnancy and early motherhood we are in frequent contact with a range of health practitioners who ask us almost relentlessly about how we are coping. Men aren’t so lucky, and it’s unlikely that a man experiencing symptoms would be identified without him asking explicitly for help. I’m not going to enter into any stereotypical judgements about the likelihood of that happening – with thanks to the Post and AnteNatal Depression Association (PANDA), below are some of the risk factors and signs to look out for.

These are some of the things that might make post-natal depression in men more likely (but it can still happen, even if none of these are present):

• a man’s partner experiencing PND
• a previous history of depression
• marital problems
• low self-esteem
• feelings of incompetence in the parenting role
• first-time fatherhood
• infant irritability.

Symptoms of depression typically present slightly differently between males and females. For men suffering post-natally, they may include:

• tiredness, headaches and pain
• irritability, anxiety and anger
• loss of libido
• changes in appetite
• feelings of being overwhelmed, out of control and unable to cope
• a tendency to take risks
• changes to sleep patterns, especially a lack of sleep
• feelings of isolation and disconnection from partner, friends or family
• withdrawal from intimate relationships and from family, friends and community life
• increased hours of work as a part of the withdrawal from family
• increased use of drugs or alcohol instead of seeking treatment for depression.

There is currently a study being done by Deakin University into risk factors and symptoms of post-natal depression in order to increase identification and diagnosis. They are looking for 250 men and their pregnant partners (between 12 and 17 weeks pregnant) to participate. The study will run for up to a year after birth. If you are interested, find out more here.

If you think that you, or a man in your life, might be experiencing symptoms related to a partner’s pregnancy or to early fatherhood, you could direct him to Mensline or Lifeline, or to his local GP. If you live in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, please feel free to call me on 0409 224 950 or email to heather@mindsightpsychology.com.au, or call Phoenix Holistic Centre on  02 9386 1225 for an appointment.