Men’s Issues

Male Postpartum Depression: Is It a Thing?

2024-09-25T08:33:56+00:00August 6th, 2024|Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues|

Male postpartum depression is real. It is a form of depression characterized by significant mental and emotional distress that often goes unidentified because so many men are reluctant to talk about their feelings or reach out for help. The subject of dads’ mental health is always met with skepticism. You always get, ‘What about mom?’ in response. And moms’ mental health is important. But dads’ is, too. – Anthony J. Nedelman It has been estimated that approximately twenty-five percent of new dads experience mild symptoms of postpartum depression following the birth of a new baby, and 8 to 10 percent are diagnosed with it. This has been corroborated by a 2023 survey of fathers in the United States conducted by Verywell Mind and Parents that found that 9 percent of men experienced postpartum depression, and another 12 percent said both they and their spouses struggled with it. What does male postpartum depression look like? Symptoms of male postpartum depression can include anger, irritability, anxiety, sadness, intrusive thoughts of inadvertently harming the baby, loss of interest in hobbies or activities usually enjoyed, aloofness, violent or aggressive behavior, headaches, muscle pain, digestive problems, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, fatigue, indecisiveness, trouble concentrating or making decisions, emotional blunting, impulsivity, and/or feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt. Why do men get postpartum depression? Many potential risk factors can contribute to male postpartum depression. The most common ones include hormonal changes, pre-existing history of depression or anxiety, feeling disconnected and excluded as mom bonds with baby and focuses on meeting his or her needs, marital discord, sleep deprivation, financial stress, spouse with postpartum depression, and feeling overwhelmed by the added responsibilities of parenthood. How is it diagnosed? Most often, male postpartum depression is diagnosed through a clinical interview with a mental health professional. [...]

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My Husband is Depressed. How Can I Help?

2024-10-29T14:50:40+00:00December 12th, 2022|Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Men’s Issues, Relationship Issues, Women’s Issues|

Loving someone who is depressed can be hard. Many times, spouses feel helpless as they watch the person they care so much about suffering. It is difficult when all you want to do is help and it feels impossible to know how. If your husband is depressed, perhaps this article will help. Additionally, people who are depressed sometimes release their feelings and frustrations toward the people they feel safe with, often a spouse or a loved one. This can mean you are juggling the longing to help your spouse as well as your feelings about how you are treated. If your husband is depressed, it is not just their struggle. You have your own experiences and feelings to navigate. What is depression? Before you can look at how to help your husband, you need to understand what depression is. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.” Sometimes referred to as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, daily activities can become difficult for those suffering as depression affects how you think, feel, and behave. It is important to understand that being depressed is more than an occasional feeling of sadness or having the blues. It is not something that patients can simply turn off. Depression is a medical condition that requires treatment. Medication, therapy, or a combination of the two often have a positive impact on treating depression. Common signs of depression can include sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, changes in sleep or eating habits, anger, difficulty concentrating or completing tasks, unexplained physical ailments, and even suicidal thoughts. People with depression can experience these or any combination of feelings that persists over time. Loving your depressed husband. If your husband suffers from depression, it can be difficult to [...]

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