After the birth of a child, new parents aren’t always overflowing with unmitigated joy. The physical and emotional challenges of parenthood can cause postnatal depression — not only in mothers, but in fathers as well, health care professionals point out.
Symptoms include fatigue, listlessness, trouble sleeping, irritability, mood swings and a loss of sex drive, according to the Professional Association of German Neurologists (BVDN).
In fathers, symptoms often don’t appear right after the birth but only gradually — and are usually less severe than in mothers, the BVDN says. They are generally similar to depression symptoms men may experience in other phases of their life.
The exact causes of postnatal depression in men remain relatively unclear, the experts note. In addition to the responsibilities of caring for a newborn, hormonal changes are thought to play a role. A study has shown that a man’s testosterone levels drop when his partner is pregnant. And if she suffers from postnatal depression, his risk of depression rises.
The BVDN advises new fathers to speak openly with their partner about their difficulties — or to seek professional help. This can help keep the problems from undermining their family life. – dpa
