Tag: <span>Mens mental health</span>

Men's Health Mental Wellness Parenting • • • • • • • • • By Beth Church 0 Comments

When Dads Struggle Too: Understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Fathers

Written by: Jessi Beatty, PhD, LP

We are often socialized to think of men as providers of support during the perinatal period, but it’s rarely mentioned that men can experience many of the same difficulties with the transition to parenthood as women. Men are often taught to ‘be strong’, and these subtle and not-so-subtle messages can lead to increased shame, guilt, or embarrassment if they are struggling with becoming a father. Therefore, dads may be less likely to admit when they are struggling or to seek help. 

The Numbers May Surprise You

In fact, around 10% of dads experience postpartum depression and more recent studies have shown that as many as 22% of new dads experience an anxiety disorder. This number often increases significantly when their partner is also experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) or if the father has previously experienced mood difficulties. 

Why Fathers Are Also at Risk

The changes dads go through as they adjust to parenthood are often overlooked. Men experience social and physical changes that impact their mental health a great deal. For instance, shifting schedules can lead to sleep deprivation or changes in circadian rhythms that put men at increased risk for PMAD as well. The increased stress of becoming a parent, lack of social support for new fathers or feeling excluded from mother-infant bonding may also increase the risk for men to experience PMAD. Men often feel they can’t talk about how difficult these changes are, which can lead to further isolation.

Did You Know… Men’s Hormones Change Too!

We often focus on the wild ride women’s hormones take during the perinatal period, but did you know men’s hormones change too. Men experience changes in their hormones during the perinatal period designed to promote parenting behaviors and strengthen the dad’s attachment to the new baby. Research has shown that testosterone decreases, and estrogen, cortisol, vasopressin, and prolactin increase during the perinatal period to prepare dads for the transition to parenthood.  Decreases in testosterone have been linked to depression symptoms in men, and if men have lower than expected levels of estrogen, vasopressin, or prolactin it can result in more difficulty bonding. 

Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Dads who are struggling with significant changes in their mood are not to blame and help is available. Consider reaching out for help if you are experiencing:

  • increased tiredness, headaches and pain
  • irritability, sadness, anxiety and/or anger
  • loss of interest in activities
  • changes in appetite
  • feelings of being overwhelmed, out of control and unable to cope
  • a tendency to take increased risks
  • changes to sleep patterns, especially a lack of sleep
  • feelings of isolation and disconnection from partner, friends or family
  • loss of libido
  • increased hours of work as a part of the withdrawal from family
  • increased use of drugs or alcohol instead of seeking treatment for PMAD

Have No Fear, Help is Here

The good news is that help is available for new dads experiencing any of the difficulties described. What works best is different for everyone, but it’s generally recommended to increase social support, find ways to improve instrumental support to keep your own self-care intact, seek support groups of other dads in the transition to fatherhood, and work with a counselor or therapist who understands perinatal mental health disorders. 

The transition to parenthood forces the old patterns and routines to change, but figuring out ways to stay connected and take care of yourself is so worth it and important. If that transition feels especially hard there are several research backed treatments that can help improve your mood, learn the skills to cope more effectively during this transition, and build the relationship with your child(ren) and partner that you want and deserve.

Scarff JR. Postpartum Depression in Men. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience. 2019 May 1;16(5-6):11-14. PMID: 31440396; PMCID: PMC6659987.

Kim P, Swain JE. Sad dads: paternal postpartum depression. Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2007 Feb;4(2):35-47. PMID: 20805898; PMCID: PMC2922346.

 

Resources for Fathers:

Postpartum Support International: https://postpartum.net/get-help/help-for-dads/

International Father’s Mental Health Day June 2026 (have not updated website from 2025 as of 4/13/26 but still good videos and information): https://www.postpartum.net/join-us/ifmhd/

https://www.ifmhd.org/resources-and-information

Marce of North America: https://marcenortham.com/fathers-mental-health-resources

City Dads Group (there is a Detroit chapter): https://citydadsgroup.com/

(based in the UK but helpful books and other articles for more information) https://andrewmayers.uk/fathers-mental-health

https://www.pinerest.org/media/Understanding-PMAD.pdf

For LGBTQIA+ Fathers: 

Resources for your partner (focused on motherhood):

Pine Rest Mother and Baby Day Program: https://www.pinerest.org/day-programs/mother-baby-program/

University of Michigan Women and Infants Mental Health Program: https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/programs/women-infants-mental-health

https://zerotothrive.org/clinical-services/perinatal-psychiatry-clinic/