Post-natal depression in men

[pixieears32]

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

Men do suffer if a birth is traumatic. They see what's happening to their child in more detail. Both parents experience the event, so both can get traumatised. And if the whirlwind continues with the pressure of raising twins I can see how things don't get worked through and resolved and can then turn into anxiety then depression. I'd say pnd is an acceptable term because the depression is a result of the birth and following anxieties. Your blog post is something other men will recognise aswell as some women too.

mind suggests different causes for pnd, not all caused by hormonal changes www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression/#.VzbPJJErJdg

And here is nct talking about pnd in men www.nct.org.uk/parenting/postnatal-depression-dads

sometimes called paternal depression

or male pnd

It's really not 'taking from us'. My partner watched our ds being (successfully) resuscitated whilst the midwife blocked my view. He has that image burned into his brain. I was protected from that to a certain extent. Those 5 minutes and the following week of uncertainty and dread were far more traumatic than actually giving birth.

Thankfully we both bonded well with baby, he recovered quickly and we talked and talked and talked with each other, consultants, midwives, nurses, obstercians etc and so escaped depression despite ongoing anxieties. We both suffered in equal measure, tho my dp is the one who has that traumatic image to remember.

So hormones or not, in some circumstances a difficukt preg, birth, hospital stay, problems after in the home can all lead to depression for mum or dad.

Maybe it would be better to call it male pnd to distinguish from the possible hormonal influence in some women who suffer pnd.

Personally I think it's splitting hairs because it amounts to the same thing, tho some women have psychotic symptoms. We're all people trying to do our best. If calling it pnd gets a man the support he needs, then why argue about what it's called? Especially if it is depression caused by a difficult birth/preg/after birth. What else would it be called?

Thank you ricketytickety your post means alot.

I hear you gazsm, glad you are getting some help. Nobody chooses to be depressed, we all would just like to bounce out of bed filled with joy at the prospect of a day full of mind numbing child care.
However somethings we don't feel that way and despite our best " coping" strategies need some external help.
Well done on getting some, getting a label usually is also of benefit as in the NHS you are sometimes ignored till you have one.
The fact that someone on here doesn't agree is irrelevant.
I don't like east Enders, perhaps many here do, maybe they find it helps as the plot is so depressing it makes their lives seem rosy.
It makes me feel like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh.
My point being, we're all different, have different coping strategies etc. but all need help some days, might just be a cup of tea from a friend, might be a prescription.
Good luck

Gaz - If you don't like anyone in disagreement with your observations, even from a random on the internet, then look away now.....

I am mightily about this. A HV/Counsellor cannot diagnose you with anything. One dr, from the sound of it, has made that view. To compare in any way the hormonal, physical, emotional and mental volcano that pregnancy and child birth can be (esp the first born) for women with dad's struggles to cope with that change (without under-estimating that effect) is slightly risible. I'd probs go along with 'paternal depression' if and when it hits and all assistances should be offered, including meds if appropriate.
the nct article sort of tries to mash the two in a cack-handed way.

and of course as has been said, coming onto a pre-dominantly female site and not expecting at least lots of sucking-in-through-teeth is remarkably naive.

Really, best of wishes to you and your family and hope things get progressively more manageable for you all.