Postpartum Depression is also a male issue.

When we hear the term Postpartum Depression, we think about sad, exhausted, confused women overwhelmed by the hormonal rollercoaster that follows birth. However, this is a shared condition. A study conducted by scientists and behaviorists from the University of West Virginia sheds light on this topic. In fact, it states that between 10 and 25 percent of the men that were part of the study suffered postpartum depression. In May 2010, the Journal of the American Medical Association released one of the first comprehensive studies on this topic. Some of the most common causes for this type of depression in males seem to be: sleep deprivation, pressures from the prospect of having to assume new and more challenging responsibilities, and the expectation of supporting the new mother. In addition to that, we have the expectations of post-modern society in which it’s expected that the father will be engaged and involved in the process of gestation, birth, postpartum, and new born care. At the same time, the emotional stability of the mother is of great importance, as male postpartum depression is more common when the mother also suffers it.

Thus, we need to be mindful of each other. Being sensitive to the needs of the new father is as important as caring for the new mother and baby. And for those men out there that are still skeptical of this topic…Beware! Postpartum Depression is also a masculine issue. So much so, that there are now numerous online resources for the depressed daddy. Browse, peruse, read on…Get educated, Become empowered!

Online resources for male postpartum depression:

www.saddaddy.com

http://www.mmwi-stl.org/

http://www.postpartummen.com/