[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/postpartum-depression-in-new-dads\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/postpartum-depression-in-new-dads\/","headline":"Sad Dads: Postpartum Depression in New Dads Often Goes Undiagnosed","name":"Sad Dads: Postpartum Depression in New Dads Often Goes Undiagnosed","description":"Learn how postpartum depression often goes undiagnosed in new dads. For more information, contact Magee Behavioral Health at 412-641-1238.","datePublished":"2019-06-17","dateModified":"2025-07-07","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","name":"UPMC Magee-Womens","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-magee-womens-hospital\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/unrecognizable-father-with-his-newborn-baby-son-lying-in-bed-picture-id625686216.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/unrecognizable-father-with-his-newborn-baby-son-lying-in-bed-picture-id625686216.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/postpartum-depression-in-new-dads\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Men's Health","Mental Health"],"wordCount":991,"articleBody":"In recent years, obstetricians and pediatricians began screening all new mothers for signs of postpartum depression (PPD) at their first appointments following the birth of a baby.However, the idea that new fathers also can experience PPD has been largely overlooked, and research on the issue is limited. Yet it is not uncommon for new dads to show signs of paternal PPD,\u00a0and their symptoms often go undiagnosed.Learn more about postpartum depression in fathers.Symptoms of Depression Often Overlooked in DadsAlthough there is limited research on paternal postpartum depression, research indicates PPD is a problem for both men and women.The prevalence of paternal PPD is 9.76% during the prenatal period and 8.75% in the postnatal period, according to a 2024 meta-analysis from\u00a0The Journal of Clinical Medicine. However, the rates vary by country.Eydie Moses-Kolko, MD, a psychiatrist in the Behavioral Health Clinic at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, says she often encounters men who exhibit symptoms of depression.Dr. Moses-Kolko sees new moms with PPD in her practice. She runs the New and Expectant Mothers Specialized Treatment (NEST) program, an intensive outpatient treatment program for women who are pregnant and up to one year postpartum. Many NEST patients have had a history of depression before or during their pregnancies, which puts them at higher risk of PPD.\u201cOf the new moms I see in the NEST program, at least half of their male partners show signs of depression or other mental health problems,\u201d Dr. Moses-Kolko says. \u201cBecause the focus of the follow-up appointments is on the mom and baby, and because new dads\u2019 symptoms of depression may not be recognized for what they are, we may be missing a lot more men who have paternal PPD.\u201dMaking the diagnosis harder is the fact that men often are raised to downplay emotions in a culture of masculinity, so they may not admit that that are dealing with depression issues. Many men also are not as in touch with their feelings as their partners and sometimes can\u2019t identify exactly what is wrong. Further, many men either don\u2019t report these feelings to their primary care providers or don\u2019t seek help for them at all.Bringing home a new baby is a stressful life event that changes the dynamics of a household and affects everyone in it. The nature of relationships \u2014 between the partners and with their own parents, other children, work colleagues, and even friends \u2014 changes dramatically.Other factors add to the emotional and social upheaval of a new baby, including:Caring for a sick or premature baby.Financial worries.Maternal depression.Returning to work.Sleep deprivation.Symptoms of Paternal PPDAlthough symptoms of PPD for new moms and new dads often are similar, they reveal themselves in different ways. The common symptoms of PPD are:Changes in appetite.Depressed mood.Feelings of guilt.Feelings of hopelessness.Lack of interest in things.Lack of sleep or too much sleep.Low energy.Low sex drive.Poor concentration.Restlessness.Suicidal ideation.How those symptoms are expressed by new dads differs from new moms.\u201cThere are definitely gender-based nuances in how men and women express signs of depression,\u201d Dr. Moses-Kolko says. \u201cWhile women may be emotional and upset, men may get angry or avoid the situation by working more or using alcohol and substances.\u201dExpressions that might signal PPD in men include:Aggression or anger, such as flying off the handle more easily.Anxiety, stress, or inability to relax.Considering self-harm.Increased alcohol or drug use to escape from stress.Emotional absence, such as not paying attention or being present in the moment.Occasional violence, such as punching a wall.Physical absence or avoidance, such as working long hours or staying away from home.The Importance of TreatmentIf you recognize any of these symptoms or expressions in yourself or your partner, don\u2019t ignore it.Call your PCP to describe what you\u2019re feeling. Individual and group therapy can be very effective in helping dads deal with paternal PPD.\u201cMen-only support groups are a helpful way for dads to talk about what they\u2019re experiencing in a nonjudgmental environment,\u201d Dr. Moses-Kolko says. \u201cReaching out for support by cashing in on favors offered by friends and family members \u2014 such as childcare, cleaning, providing meals \u2014 also is beneficial in giving new dads extra time to focus on their self-care and strengthening their relationship with their spouse.\u201dTaking steps to improve their mental health is not only important for new dads. Studies show that their children are likely to have better short-term and long-term emotional development and mental health outcomes, as well.\u00a0A 2025 study in\u00a0JAMA Pediatrics\u00a0reported that perinatal mental distress in fathers affected their child’s cognitive, language, physical, and social-emotional development.\u201cStudies have shown an association between a father\u2019s PPD and their infant\u2019s difficult temperament,\u201d Dr. Moses-Kolko says. \u201cOlder children of dads with PPD showed increased signs of internalizing, such as anxiety and stomachaches, and externalizing, such as acting out or defiance. Once these children hit adolescence and early adulthood, they themselves had higher rates of depression and increased incidence of running away and other problem behaviors.\u201dThe evidence is clear that dads\u2019 mental health has important implications on the lives and mental health of their children. More research on paternal PPD and better screening to detect it is needed and may be on the horizon as awareness of the issue increases.For more information, visit the UPMC Magee Behavioral Health website. Editor's Note: This article was originally published on June 17, 2019, and was last reviewed on July 7, 2025.SourcesGenevieve Le Bas, Stephanie R. Aarsman, Alana Rogers, et al. Paternal Perinatal Depression, Anxiety, and Stress and Child Development. Accessed July 2025. https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamapediatrics\/fullarticle\/2834898. JAMA Pediatrics. Pablo \u00c1lvarez-Garc\u00eda, Rub\u00e9n Garc\u00eda-Fern\u00e1ndez, Cristian Mart\u00edn-V\u00e1zquez, et al,. Postpartum Depression in Fathers: A Systematic Review. Accessed July 2025. https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11122550\/. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 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