Dad's get postpartum depression too...

[Guest]

After years studying postpartum depression in new moms, a recent study suggests that new dads can get depressed, too.

About 14 percent of mothers and 10 percent of fathers suffer from moderate or severe postpartum depression, according to the study in the August issue of the journal Pediatrics.

More incapacitating than the "baby blues," postpartum depression is marked by severe sadness or emptiness, withdrawal from family and friends, a strong sense of failure, and even thoughts of suicide. These emotions can begin two or three weeks after birth and can last up to a year or longer if untreated.

More - www.pre-eclampsia.blogspot.com

[sandy]

Thanks, Mike, for the post. Yes, dads...adoptive parents, too.

As a 2-time survivor of PPD, here are some resources I have come across:

Links:
http://www.postpartum.net/ (Postpartum Support International)
http://www.pndsa.co.za/ms-fc.htm (confidential quiz to take if you think you might have PPD)
https://home.comcast.net/~ddklinker/mysite2/Welcome_page.htm (resources for dads/partners of those w/PPD)
http://www.postpartumhealthalliance.org/ (Postpartum Health Alliance)
http://www.reproductivepsych.org/ (Center for Reproductive Psychology)

Books:
"This Isn't What I Expected" Karen Kleinman/Valerie Raskin (not sure of spelling of author's names)
"Mothering the New Mother" sally Placksin

[crystalclear]

i can understand about men facing postpartum depression. i have seen my husband going all quiet and sad since we lost the baby. he tries very hard though to cheer me up so that i can cope with the loss. but i can feel how much he is hurting inside.

[raspbeari]

crystal, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your baby. I would guess that many of us on top of grieving, are experiencing post pardum depression as well. I know I seemed to in the months following the death of my son kai.
Losing a child is so hard, you and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.

barbara