爸爸们的产后抑郁症
In those hazy, chaotic days following the arrival of a new baby, both parents may find themselves hostage to a rollercoaster of emotions. Because, for all the joy a baby brings, it's not always purely a time of unbridled happiness. It can also be an incredibly difficult and emotionally challenging period - for both mum and dad. In fact, one in 10 men will experience postnatal depression, research in the US has found. Now, with Father's Day passed, Sarah McMullen, Head of Knowledge, NCT, gives the lowdown on new dads' mental health, including the signs to keep an eye on and steps to take. Why my partner? "There's no single reason why some dads are affected by depression and others are not," Sarah explains. "The increased pressures of fatherhood, changes in relationships or lifestyle and lack of sleep, combined with more financial responsibility and an increased workload at home, may take their toll on a new dad's mental wellbeing." Signs of postnatal depression in men. Sarah continues: "Each dad will experience postnatal depression differently but the symptoms can be similar to those found amongst new mums and can include: Feeling very low, tired and lethargic; a sense of inadequacy or inability to cope; feeling guilty or unable to bond with their baby; having obsessive fears about their baby's health, or about themselves and other members of the family." Feeling very low, or despondent, that life is a long, grey tunnel, and that there is no hope. Feeling tired and very lethargic, or even quite numb. Not wanting to do anything or take an interest in the outside world. A sense of inadequacy or unable to cope. Feeling guilty about not coping, or about not loving their baby enough. Being unusually irritable, which makes the guilt worse. Wanting to cry/crying a lot or even constantly. Having obsessive and irrational thoughts which can be very scary. Loss of appetite, which may go with feeling hungry all the time, but being unable to eat. Comfort eating. Having difficulty sleeping: either not getting to sleep, waking early, or having vivid nightmares. Being hostile or indifferent to their partner and/or baby. |