Doctors say more research is needed on perinatal depression. That\u2019s the updated way to refer to postpartum depression (PPD).<\/p>\n
As there\u2019s a stigma around talking about women experiencing this, there\u2019s new research into men experiencing it, too.<\/p>\n
UNC psychologist Dr. Sultan Hubbard is part of an effort to expand knowledge in this subject.<\/p>\n
“It’s a huge transition for the family as a unit,” said Dr. Hubbard, “so, not just mom but also dad is significantly impacted.”<\/p>\n
This article will address dads, but you can’t talk about PPD or PPA (postpartum anxiety) without focusing on women first, such as Allie Cullen.<\/p>\n
She’s a mother of three little girls in Wake Forest. Cullen survived the dreadful experience that is PPD.<\/p>\n
“I couldn’t emotionally figure out anything,” said Cullen. “I couldn’t process anything.”<\/p>\n
Cullen’s experience with PPD was the complete opposite of the rosy, glossy-lens Hollywood version of becoming a mother.<\/p>\n
“You’ve got this beautiful baby,” said Cullen. “Everyone’s like, ‘Oh! It’s wonderful having a newborn.’ And sometimes it’s not. It’s hard. So many people suffer with it, and when you’re going through it you feel alone.”<\/p>\n
But you’re not alone.<\/p>\n
In fact, CDC research shows 1 in 8 women who recently gave birth reported PPD symptoms.<\/p>\n
Between 2008 and 2014, 1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the U.S.
\nreported symptoms suggesting they experienced depression. <\/p>\n
Therapy and a supportive husband are what helped Cullen.<\/p>\n
Dr. Crystal Schiller is the director of the UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders. She says some people can have an incredibly overwhelming experience with PPD.<\/p>\n
“It can be as severe as people experiencing thoughts of harming themselves or others,” said Dr. Schiller. “Those are the patients we take care of on our in-patient unit.”<\/p>\n
Dr. Schiller says the center is one of four inpatient units in the country dedicated to perinatal women with severe depression, anxiety and mental health conditions.<\/p>\n
Women can experience a change in estrogen, cortisol and other hormones during pregnancy, which can fuel anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n
Schiller says men can experience hormonal changes, too, such as a shift in testosterone. <\/p>\n
Mental health advocate Nathan Evans Jr. isn’t surprised men can experience this after their partners give birth.<\/p>\n
“I can understand that, completely,” said Evans, “from the physical level to the moods.”<\/p>\n
Evans is a mental health advocate who addresses audiences about mental wellness. He’s a dad who says he experienced PPD when his son was born a few years ago.<\/p>\n
“The first few weeks I felt very disconnected, I felt very lethargic,” said Evans. “It was tough to get out of bed, and you’re sleep deprived, of course.”<\/p>\n
He understands some people are going to hear, “men experience PPD” and think, “Really? When women are the ones carrying the child?”<\/p>\n
“It’s unfortunate that is the expected reaction sometimes,” said Evans. “It’s pretty dismissive.”<\/p>\n
That’s where Dr. Hubbard\u2019s research into PPD in men comes into this discussion.\u00a0He hopes his work will provide change that will strengthen the family as a whole.<\/p>\n
“If [a father] is not receiving any care,” said Dr. Hubbard, “and he’s going weeks, months of experiencing severe depression or anxiety or irritability or fatigue or a sense of worthlessness, he’s not going to be much of a support for his spouse or for the child.”<\/p>\n
He and his peers are trying to find the best ways to support families, including dads and the best pathways to treatment.<\/p>\n
Dr. Hubbard is not saying \u201csteer the conversation about postpartum depression away from women.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s saying consider men in the talk, too.<\/p>\n