Post Date December, 03 2023
Postnatal depression usually refers to a psychological disease caused by women's psychological failure to adjust well after childbirth. Therefore, everyone must believe that postpartum depression is a unique disease for women. In fact, men who are promoted as fathers are also likely to develop this disease.
Postnatal depression is not a "patent" for new mothers, and fathers may also suffer from "postpartum depression" after the birth of a child. Some novice dads who are worried about their inability to play the role of father may experience severe frustration due to their physical and psychological inability to adapt to the role transformation before and after their wives give birth, as well as their inability to withstand the dual pressures of life and work, and may also fall into the mire of depression and cannot extricate themselves.
New Dad Has Symptoms of Postnatal Depression
The symptoms of postpartum depression in new fathers vary from person to person. If your wife has postpartum depression, it may be easier for you to understand what is going on, such as you may find that the relationship is not harmonious. Some dads also say that they feel like they're doing nothing right, and their wives always misunderstand what they're saying.
Therefore, it is no wonder that after the birth of a baby, you will feel helpless and lose your own value. Depression can make you feel low or sad or irritable at any time. You may also give up everything because of this.
Overall, if you have postpartum depression, the following symptoms may occur:
Don't socialize with others, and avoid contact with friends.
Changes in appetite (generally reduced appetite).
Pain of unknown origin occurs.
Feeling anxious or worried.
Can't do a good job.
Lack of interest in sexual life.
Lack of energy.
Have sleep problems.
Reasons for postpartum depression in new fathers:
"We don't yet know the exact reason why a new dad may develop postpartum depression.". This may be because you have a family history of depression, or it may be because the stress in your life increases after the birth of your baby. The pressure of money and work can make you depressed.
During the first year of a baby's life, some dads may need to cope with certain changes. For example, moving house, changing jobs, working overtime, reducing income, etc. In addition, the changes brought about by newborn babies and changes in marital relationships may also make some dads find it difficult to adapt.
In terms of current research, experts believe that the following factors can be the triggers for postpartum depression in new fathers:
When a wife is pregnant, the husband feels anxious or depressed.
The baby doesn't sleep well.
Babies are particularly fond of crying.
The child is a twin.
How does a new dad cope with postpartum depression?
The "postpartum depression" of a new father is by no means unique to China and is also very common in developed countries such as the West. In the UK, there is a psychological community dedicated to opening a "New Dad Postnatal Depression" hotline, calling on new dads to vent their emotions: "As men and fathers, it is completely normal to have some incomprehensible thoughts and feelings. Anger, guilt, depression, sadness, are emotions that anyone can have." So, how should we deal with these symptoms?
1. Actively communicate with the new mommy.
When a mother has a baby, her attention must be more spent on the child. At this time, the new dad needs to actively communicate with the new mommy and be frank about his thoughts, such as where he needs the help and encouragement of the new mommy. After all, with the strong support of my father, it is possible to give my baby a warm and comfortable home.
2. Learn to be alone with your baby.
Taking care of a small baby, the new mommy is obviously skilled at the new dad, so if in front of the new mommy, the new dad tends to be even more clumsy and clumsy. Therefore, new dads should learn more about parenting experiences. When new moms go for lunch breaks or take a shower and walk away, new dads can walk around with their babies in their arms. Proper skin contact is conducive to fostering parent-child emotions. New moms should also give their fathers enough trust to grow up with their babies.
3. Relieve stress in a healthy way.
When a new dad feels pressure increasing, he can seek the experience support of others who have come over to alleviate his frustration caused by ignorance.; At the same time, choose singing, outdoor sports, and other ways to relieve the pressure in your heart. You should know that only positive and healthy emotional relief methods can help you emerge from depression and become more mature.
With an additional baby at home, each person's position in the family changes, which can bring some fluctuations to our own psychology. Adjusting our mindset to adapt to the new life in a timely manner is something everyone who upgrades to a new father or mother should learn.
