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Original poster

Post-natal depression in men

31 replies

pixieears32 · 26/04/2016 12:47

Hello, I am writing an article about the prevalence of post-natal depression in men and was wondering if anyone here had any experience of it and would be willing to share their views on it. Thank you

OP posts:
TiggyD · 13/05/2016 20:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gazsm · 13/05/2016 20:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotAClueReally3 · 13/05/2016 20:54

Gaz I think that's a brave post. Well done for writing it and I really hope you feel better soon. Help is out there and medication might well help you. Changed my life and made me start to enjoy my kids again. I'm female but have suffered on and off for five years. Ignore the nasty person above.

GretchenBeckett · 13/05/2016 20:56

Gaz, I don't think Tiggy was aiming that at you. I think it was meant for the journalist.

TiggyD · 13/05/2016 20:58

I agree Gazsm

Read the "writing an article" bit of your post and thought "not another bloody journalist" and replied according to my assumption.

Lots of apologies. Will ask MNHQ to delete.

JonSnowsBeardClippings · 13/05/2016 21:00

Men don't get post natal depression, it's a specific condition related to the physical, hormonal and emotional impact of pregnancy and birth. They may get reactive depression following the life changing event of having a baby mind you.

DiggersRest · 13/05/2016 21:06

Good post Jon. PND affects women. Depression in men due to change in circumstances after a baby should not be labelled PND.

gazsm · 13/05/2016 21:26

I thought the same. But all the proffesionals i have talked to refer to it as PND. Its depression after birth. I think the post natal part is the highest hurdle to get over.

Its not as physical but its still emotional and hormonal for the men too.

gazsm · 13/05/2016 21:31

Apology accepted tiggy the original poster is the article writer not me. Im just overly emotional

JonSnowsBeardClippings · 13/05/2016 21:42

It's just not post natal depression though. It's a completely different condition.

GretchenBeckett · 13/05/2016 21:42

I agree with Jon completely

gazsm · 13/05/2016 21:50

Well ive be diagnosed with it and am having treatment. So why would the drs tell me that.

JonSnowsBeardClippings · 13/05/2016 21:59

Dunno
Anyone can complete the Edinburgh pnd scale and come out with a high score but unless you've recently given birth to a baby it's not post natal depression
Natal is the key part that you're missing

gazsm · 13/05/2016 22:08

Natal - of or relating to birth.

Im not missing anything dr jon

JonSnowsBeardClippings · 13/05/2016 22:49

You have depression. It's not post natal depression. Post natal depression doesn't mean depression contracted after becoming a parent. Why are you coopting the language of a female experience when you really don't need to? You can talk about your experience of depression and your identity crisis following your children's births but you don't need to call it post natal depression. So why are you insisting?

gazsm · 13/05/2016 23:57

Because thats what I've been diagnosed with. Why cant you understand that.

I didnt want to accept that. But finally i have but its you that doesn't want me to.

JonSnowsBeardClippings · 14/05/2016 07:13

I disagree with the change in definition of PND to include depression in men. I'm sure many health visitors and psychiatric professionals will too.
I don't know why you must insist that you have post natal depression rather than simply depression!

UmbongoUnchained · 14/05/2016 07:23

Agree Jon.
Is this yet another thing men are trying to take from us?

gazsm · 14/05/2016 07:32

Because jon my gp, hv and councillor have diagnosed me. Im not the hp am i?

And if you think im trying to take this from woman you are deluded. Why would i want PND. Im falling to pieces and trying to rebuild. Your constant denial is not helping.

Why keep attacking me? #partoftheproblem

JonSnowsBeardClippings · 14/05/2016 07:35

Part of what problem? Attacking? I'm neither.

UmbongoUnchained · 14/05/2016 07:35

Must be so difficult for you recovering from the trauma of birth Hmm

gazsm · 14/05/2016 07:38

Maybe you dont think you are. But i didnt sleep last night because of your comments.

Im not saying any more to you on either post as its upsetting me too much.

Hope you calm down soon.

gazsm · 14/05/2016 07:56

umbongo sarcasm is understandable

However yes while not physical for me the trauma was emotional and mental.

JonSnowsBeardClippings · 14/05/2016 08:08

Calm? Gaz, if my posts are upsetting you so much I suggest you take a break. You're projecting a lot of things on to me. I'm surprised that you weren't prepared for a response when you came into a primarily female site for parents and claimed to have PND but in case you were that naive - maybe this isn't the place for you. I say that because of your clearly fragile state and the fact that you didn't sleep apparently because a stranger you have never met thinks men don't get PND.
I'm perfectly calm, I'm not attacking you, I am sympathetic with your depression and the challenges of raising 3 young children etc but I don't think you have PND as that's a condition that specifically relates to depression experienced by women after giving birth.