Men and women can experience depression very differently. Here are some symptoms that are common in men:

Increased anger and conflict with others

Increased use of alcohol or prescription/street drugs

Frustration or irritability

Violent behaviour

Significant weight gain or loss

Isolation from family and friends

Being easily stressed

Impulsiveness or risk taking (this kind of behaviour can include reckless driving or extramarital affairs)

Feeling discouraged; cynicism

Increase in complaints about physical problems, like headaches, digestion problems or pain

Problems with concentration or motivation

Loss of interest in work, hobbies and/or sex

Working constantly

Concerns about productivity and functioning at work or school

Fatigue

Feeling sad or crying for no reason

Conflict between how you feel you should be as a man and how you are

Thoughts of suicide or death

Some of the factors that can contribute to depression in new or soon-to-be fathers include:

Personal history of depression

Family history of depression

Worries about being a parent

Feeling overwhelmed with expectations in your role at work and your role as a father

Financial problems

Lack of social and/or emotional support

Stress in relationship with family or spouse

Missing attention and/or sex from your partner

Stressful birthing experience

Lack of sleep after the baby is born

Feeling excluded from the bond between mom and baby

Being a new immigrant to Canada

Videos:



Pablo: A difficult balance

Pablo discusses the difficulty of balancing home and family obligations, particularly when one partner has PPD/A, and why doing so is vital.

To view video with written transcript, click here.



Allen: What PPD/A is

Allen describes his emotionally stressful and exhausting postpartum experience, which ultimately resulted in significant personal change.

To view video with written transcript, click here.

Need help? See:

Tips to help Dads

Where Dads can go for help