Postpartum depression in men?

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 15, 2005

I find PPD a poor term, really. It sounds like much less than the complicated issue it is. Physiology has a HUGE role to play, obviously. I think using this term, we CAN diagnose men with post partum "depression" ....anyone can suffer situational stress and depression, right? Men definately feel stress when new babies are added to the scheme of their lives.

Perhaps a better terminology to envelope this condition for women is needed?

Or maybe we can recognize MEN can suffer on some level as well, and perhaps even need treatment too?

It would take some changes in thought processes and assumptions all around.

LydiaNN · Jun 15, 2005

I remember being taught that the drop in estrogen levels was a primary factor in PPD. Having experienced it firsthand, it certainly makes a lot of sense to me. Men, obviously, don't experience said drop. Perhaps I am just not as up to date in what's been learned about PPD. I have no problem with men being dxed and treated, it just doesn't seem to me that this particular dx is appropriate. I don't want to make it sound like a contest, "oh, he got dxed but I've got it worse" type of thing, but OTOH, it still seems a bit like dxing a man with pregnancy might be. He can be expecting a baby in the family, but it really isn't the same as carrying and delivering that baby!

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jun 15, 2005

My neighbor has 5 kids, she says her hubby had PPD after each one was born, her mother says he was just jealous of the new baby.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 15, 2005

I remember being taught that the drop in estrogen levels was a primary factor in PPD. Having experienced it firsthand, it certainly makes a lot of sense to me. Men, obviously, don't experience said drop. Perhaps I am just not as up to date in what's been learned about PPD. I have no problem with men being dxed and treated, it just doesn't seem to me that this particular dx is appropriate. I don't want to make it sound like a contest, "oh, he got dxed but I've got it worse" type of thing, but OTOH, it still seems a bit like dxing a man with pregnancy might be. He can be expecting a baby in the family, but it really isn't the same as carrying and delivering that baby!

Hmm, well, if a man is experiencing depression, let him get treatment. Perhaps a better name is situational depression? I dunno. I guess this does not get me too excited, whatever they call it, it's ok by me. But, I can see in a way where you are coming from....

Having experienced PPD on its worst level myself ( I did not leave the house or get dressed for several weeks before I finally got treatment, it interfered totally with the enjoyment of my new born and my sleeping was nonexistant----I felt SICK!), I feel PPD is a horribly inadequate description for the illness and private hell I experienced. Either way, those having depression need to be recognized and treated, men included. I think men are very UNDERtreated for depression as it is.

I guess like I said a name change would be in order for one or the other. PPD is hardly the term I would apply to what I went through after the birth of my 2nd child, however.

DrCourtenay · Sep 12, 2008

This is a great discussion.

I agree with the previous comments about the term PPD. I advocate use of the term Paternal Postnatal Depression (PPND) for men – which has been used widely outside of the U.S. – to distinguish it from PPD in women.

And, by the way, men experience physiological changes too – both during pregnancy and early in the postpartum period. And it’s a double whammy; not only do our testosterone levels go down, but our estrogen levels go up. This can certainly wreak havoc on a man’s functioning, and be an underlying trigger for depression or anxiety.

As we learn more about postpartum depression, in general, I think that we’re going to discover that lack of sleep is the biggest trigger – for both women and men. We know that when normal, healthy adults are deprived of good sleep for one month, they begin to show all the clinical signs of depression. So, sleep is probably a major culprit.

I thought you might like to know about a web site for men with postpartum depression, called PostpartumMen. It can be found at http://www.SadDaddy.com. It's the only Internet site specifically for new dads with depression, and includes lots of information, an assessment for new fathers to complete, and an online forum for dads to talk with each other. The site’s been talked about in another thread at AllNurses.com.

Thanks again, and keep up the good work!

Warm wishes,

Dr. Will Courtenay, The Men's Doctor

bagladyrn, RN · Sep 12, 2008

Dr. Courtenay - I like the term you mentioned "Paternal Postnatal Depression" for men. It seems quite apt. Can you suggest any articles or reading on this topic? I do try to incorporate information for fathers into my teaching as an OB nurse, especially in situations where the birth outcome is not what was expected, as I find that men tend to get overlooked in these cases which can certainly contribute to depression. (I guess having raised 5 boys kind of gives me an affinity for issues experienced by young men)

rnmomtobe2010 · Sep 12, 2008

Not being sarcastic or anything...But can men have postpartum depression? I thought that came along with pregnancy.....I really would love to hear more about this....

prmenrs, RN · Sep 12, 2008

DrCourtenay gave some good info and a web site.

I think men have moments when they realize (and are a bit freaked out about) their lives (and options) are forever changed. Their "raising heck" days are over, or @least severely restricted.

Women may cope w/those changes better--we're socially programmed to aim for marriage and family; guys seem to try and avoid those responsibilities! When they see the actual proof (the baby), I can see where it might be depressing!! JMHO

DrCourtenay · Sep 12, 2008

Yes, men DO experience postpartum depression (and anxiety). As someone else mentioned, there's lots of information about this at the web site (http://www.SadDaddy.com).

In response to bagladyrn's request for articles on the subject, here are several good ones:

Goodman, J.H. (2004). Paternal postpartum depression, its relationship to maternal postpartum depression, and implications for family health. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 45: 26-35.

Kim P & Swain, JE (2007). Sad dads: paternal postpartum depression. Psychiatry. 4(2): 36-47.

Lane A., Keville R., Morris, M., Kinsella, A., Turner, M., & Barry, S. (1997). Postnatal depression and elation among mothers and their partners: prevalence and predictors. British Journal of Psychiatry. 171: 550-555.

Matthey S, Barnett B, Kavanagh DJ, Howie P (2001). Validation of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale for men, and comparison of item endorsement with their partners. Journal of Affective Disorders, 64, 175-184.

Matthey S., Barnett B., Ungerer J., Waters B. (2000). Paternal and maternal depressed mood during the transition to parenthood. Journal of Affective Disorders. 60: 75-85.

Thanks again for this important discussion!

Dr. Will Courtenay, The Men's Doc

bagladyrn, RN · Sep 13, 2008

DrCourtenay gave some good info and a web site.
I think men have moments when they realize (and are a bit freaked out about) their lives (and options) are forever changed. Their "raising heck" days are over, or @least severely restricted.
Women may cope w/those changes better--we're socially programmed to aim for marriage and family; guys seem to try and avoid those responsibilities! When they see the actual proof (the baby), I can see where it might be depressing!! JMHO

This statement is a bit generalized as well as sounding sexist. There are responsible men out there who look forward to and accept the responsibilities of marriage and family. Not all try to avoid it. We should try to avoid perpetuating stereotypes. JMHO

rnmomtobe2010 · Sep 14, 2008

interesting......