With Father’s Day coming in a few weeks, you may be especially interested to read that one in 10 fathers experience postpartum depression. Not only is this number much higher than many of us would have guessed, but the symptoms men are different than women, according to a new study. However, the subject does not have to be depressing because many adults are able to get help and actually have a better life after overcoming their postpartum depression.
I was struckĀ though by how this fact could compound the often difficult transition from being childless to becoming a parent. It probably feels like a cruel game of Russian roulette for the unlikely couple that both experience postpartum depression (ppd) at the same time. Mothers have a 1 in 4 chance of getting ppd. If the dads chances are 1 in 10, then I believe that means that 1 couple in 40 will experience both couples having ppd (any mathmeticians want to confirm my math?).
With treatment, both men and women can alleviate their symptoms, and even end up happier than they were before ppd. I had the great fortune of learning about cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) when I first was hit with ppd. I needed medication to give me a lift so that I could do the cognitive therapy. However, once I got going with CBT, I was able to go off medication quickly, and stay off. CBT helped me to change the thoughts that lead to the chemical imbalance. The gift was that I emerged from my child’s early years much more resilient and happy overall.
For men and women, undiagnosed or poorly treated, depression is a rough ride. An expert quoted in the Wall Street Journal article says that without treatment, male postpartum depression makes them more likely to be abusive. So for those couples who lose out on the Russian roulette, the potential for abuse rises along with all the other side effects of depression. Which makes effective diagnosis and treatment that much more critical to give kids a fair start in life.
Not a cheery subject, I agree, however there is a bright side. As I mentioned earlier, for myself and many others, depression has been the force that prompted us to make changes that resulted in a much better life than before ppd. CBT not only gave me my life back, but gave me the tools that I needed to have the life that I wanted. Not a small claim, and not an over-exaggeration either.
I recently had the fortune of going to see arguably Canada’s most famous prime minister’s wife. Margaret Trudeau was imfamous for her crazy behavior as the first lady of Canadian politics. She suffered from then undiagnosed bipolar disorder, which meant that she spent large periods of time profoundly depressed, interspersed with manic, crazy moments.
She mentioned how critical cognitive behavioral therapy was in managing her illness. Exercise and proper sleep are key as well, and she is on ongoing medication. However the CBT is a cornerstone of her finally achieving balance in her life. Now she is able to give her talents and lend her name to many worthwhile causes, such asĀ . She is thriving, and learning cognitive behavioral therapy is a key part of her new life.
Much like people who have conquered cancer emerge with a new found lease on life, depression survivors can be that much happier and grateful for their lives. So although having 1 in 10 men experience postpartum depression is not at all good, at least there is a lot of cause for hope. As we grow more accepting of postpartum depression in men, they will be more likely to get the treatment they need. It is important that we spread the message so that kids are given the gift of parents who are getting the help they need.
To read the article in The Wall Street Journal, click here.
Very familiar with both PPD and Bipolar. Undiagnosed will destroy a marriage. Thank you for putting this out so those who are experiencing these horrible disorders or living next to them can get help.
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Jacqueline,
I never realized PPD could happen for men as well as women. I also like the fact that you advocate diet, exercise and therapy as ways to combat issues instead of pumping your body full of toxic chemicals that cause more issues.
Thanks for sharing this info,
Val
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Great information
I’m the mom of seven kids and I knew ppd was common among women but not so much the dads. This is information that really needs to be read so others can get the help needed!
Debby Beachy
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Jacqueline,
PPD in men is a new one for me. I thought that only women suffered from this. Margaret Trudeau has always been a lady I’ve admired—even through her crazy period. She has a genuineness about her that is rarely seen in political figures.
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PPD in men? Interesting…It makes sense.Great post.
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Very informative post! I wouldn’t have called it PPD after my first daughter was born but that was exactly what I experienced!
I also wanted to add that CBT has radically changed my life too!
Kevin M.´s last blog ..Do you believe in God but not in prayer?
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That should have been PPD and not PPT! Ooops!
I also wanted to add that CBT has radically changed my life too!
Kevin M.´s last blog ..Do you believe in God but not in prayer?
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Jacqueline Green Reply:
June 10th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Thanks for sharing Kevin. I was truly unaware of how common PPD is in men until I read about that study. I’m glad to hear that you also found CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy helpful. I am passionate about telling more people about what for many is a way more effective and cheaper option than just long-term anti-depressants.
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PPD in men… never heard of it before! thanks for enlightening me jacqueline. do you think it may have something to do with the mother’s energy moving away from the father and being re-directed towards baby once the child is born? and the father feeling neglect?
either way, men are much less likely to seek help for depression or even utilize the health care system, for that matter. it’s important to keep discussing male depression so that there exists less stigma surrounding it, and that it becomes more accepted to seek treatment.
Melissa McCloud´s last blog ..Why Bellbottoms And Pop Secret Sabotage Success
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Jacqueline Green Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Thanks for your comments Melissa. I do think the changes that are happening in the couple impacts mens’ tendency to get PPD. I am also glad that as a society we are talking about it, and helping men get the help they need.
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