'The Darkest Time of My Life.’ Men Can Have Postnatal Depression Too

Explore the topic of postpartum depression in men, as we delve into personal stories and offer insights on overcoming the challenges.

After we give birth, our husbands or partners are usually our rock. But did you know that men can have postpartum depression too?

Postnatal or postpartum depression could affect as many as one in 10 men within the first year that their child was born.

Postnatal or postpartum depression is a common mental health illness that women experience after giving birth. However, experiencing depression is not only limited to new mums. Men can experience postpartum depression too.

According to BBC Scotland, one in 10 fathers experience depression within the first year the baby comes out. There could be depressive episodes in the first year or the first few months of having the baby.

Here's a story:

Months after his second child was born, Peter Dives experienced depression. However, he hid it from everyone around him.

“It was the darkest time of my life,” Peter said.

It became more difficult for him to cope with depression as he also suffered from an injury the day after his baby was born.

“I woke up every morning with a knot in my stomach. I felt like there was a big dark cloud following me about,” he shared.

“I went into a bit of a rut after that,” he added.

Peter was not comfortable seeing a doctor to tell about his condition. He didn’t want to tell anybody what he was going through for about five months after his child was born.

Nobody knew about Peter’s condition until he went to his mum’s home and cried on her couch. Peter says,

“She dragged me through to the kitchen; I was sobbing on her shoulder for 15 minutes. A lot of stuff came out about how I was feeling, and it felt good sharing that with somebody.”

Both mum and dad experienced postnatal depression

Both Keith Lonsdale and his wife Alice suffered from postnatal depression for months after their second child was born. Keith was worried that he could not support his family the way he wanted.

While the dad of two was suffering from depressive episodes himself, his wife got hospitalised twice due to postnatal depression.

During those times, Keith struggled to cope and be there to support everyone who needed him. He had just signed off from his job as a civil public servant because of stress and anxiety.

Alice, Keith’s wife, said,

“His bosses at the time just couldn’t understand – they just didn’t see that he was missing his daughter…

That his wife and daughter had been put in a mental health unit. He had very limited access to us, and his work couldn’t understand why he would want to be with us.”

 

Postpartum Depression In Men

 

Image source: iStock

A study from Sweden says that a significant number of fathers suffered from postnatal depression in the past 10 years. They experience depressive episodes and struggled with their mental health during their early parenthood.

The common reasons why men might experience depression after their baby is born