Fatherhood

Both caregivers can feel stress, overwhelm, and disconnection from the transition of parenthood, but struggles of males during parenthood can look different than those of females. Studies show that after about 3-6 months postpartum fathers' depressive symptoms tend to spike. Males can develop "masked" male depression, where rather than an outward expression of sadness, men may increase substance use, are more likely to be irritable, aggressive and hostile.  These symptoms  frequently look like "checking out," with increased isolation and engagement in more activities and habits for distraction.

Many males state that they feel:  

• Burdened or trapped where my life has changed

• Isolation and loneliness- missing friendship with my partner and friendships with outside friends 

• Weighed down by financial responsibility (felt as a burden)

• Outside of the circle of attention

• Missing sexual relationship- disconnected

• Sleep deprivation

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Tapping into your support system, having active communication, and a healthy lifestyle are key ways to mediate postpartum male depression.  Being aware of your stressors and how your body is reacting and coping with these new changes, can alleviate guilt by creating understanding of your needs and the choices that you have in your life and relationships.​Speaking with a therapist can help you process how you are really coping with this change and get you reentered on what your priorities are and what you value. Stress is a part of being a parent and human and managing those stressors is how we can help.