New dads suffer postpartum depression too, study reveals

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While it is natural to be anxious about new things in life such as having a baby or being a new father, a research found that males also suffer just as much as their partners.

The research by the Australian National University (ANU) found that postpartum depression and anxiety can affect around one in ten men. The risk rate is similar to women. The study will be published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

"Having a new baby is a time of great adjustment for many parents, and it is normal to be nervous, but anxiety can become a problem when it persists for extended periods and interferes with everyday functioning," said Dr. Liana Leach from the ANU Centre for Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, via EurekAlert.

For the research, Leach and colleagues looked at 43 different studies. They found that anxiety can go hand in hand with depression; the former for before the child is born and after when it arrives, University Herald reports.

Anxiety disorders in men can include symptoms such as feelings of panic and uneasiness, clammy or cold hands or feet and irritability, according to WebMD. They may also experience nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, dry mouth and muscle tension.

New dads experiencing depression is called Paternal Postnatal Depression (PPND), according to Huffington Post. The outlet adds that while pregnancy and giving birth are mainly for the mother and child, there are structures and guidelines on how to minimize or see signs of depression. However, there is little to no such thing for expectant fathers.

Dealing with PPND can be a bit difficult as it is not easy to determine these feelings in new fathers. The site noted that PPND manifestation need not be instantaneous, it can happen a few days or months after the child is born. The PPND key triggers for new dads include having a partner or spouse with postnatal depression, financial problems, traumatic birth experience for a partner, the pressure of being a young father, or having been diagnosed with depression before the baby.

However, an expert told the outlet that "society is changing" and because of this "We expect more from fathers as caregivers and women as breadwinners....The role of fathers is determined by what society thinks a father should be and that's totally different from 50 years ago."

Dr. Leach said there is help for new parents who are experiencing anxiety and or depression.

"Couples should be aware of their mental health right from when they realise they are pregnant. Early intervention reduces the severity and duration of symptoms," she said.

She concludes that perinatal health care should be for the whole family.