Postnatal Depression (PND): What is it?

Research has identified a number of factors that are linked to depression including:

  • personal or family history of depression

  • an unhappy or abusive childhood

  • a tendency to feel anxious or guilty

  • relationship problems

  • lack of support

  • increased life stress

Depression can be experienced by about 1 in 10 men during the year following the birth of a baby. It is not a sign of being a bad father or a sign of weakness but a well-recognized and common problem that can be treated. Tiredness and fatigue that does not get better even with rest can be a sign of depression.

After having a baby, the experience can be more severe and long lasting, and the symptoms often feel like descending into a black hole. Men also commonly experience a range of other emotions that may accompany depression such as irritability, anger, and anxiety.

Please keep in mind that your partner may not have had any of these factors and yet can still be experiencing depression.