Peri-natal depression and anxiety affects dads too
Zach Tuohy’s confession on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here has reminded us about the importance of having open discussions around men’s mental health, says Dr Erin Seeto.
Mental Health
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When former AFL star Zach Tuohy openly shared his struggles following the birth of his first child, he reminded us about the importance of having open discussions around men’s mental health.
Like the majority of dads who are referred to us, Zach was unaware that any parent can be impacted by peri-natal depression and anxiety (PNDA), even in the absence of risk factors and presence of protective factors.
We know that peri-natal depression and anxiety (PNDA) affects one in five mums and one in 10 dads, but the symptoms in expectant and new dads may be harder to identify as they often present differently.
Some of the symptoms of PNDA in dads include increased irritability, angry outbursts that are out of character and physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches or heart palpitations.
New dads also return to work a lot faster than new mums, which can make the adjustment period into early parenthood more challenging.
Dads may also experience symptoms of isolation or guilt as they transition back to work. Intrusive thoughts or thoughts of suicide can trigger overwhelm and may stop expectant or new dads from reaching out for support.
Zach’s story serves as a timely reminder to educate the community about the signs and symptoms of PNDA in dads, as well as the support available to them.
Dads play an important role in their baby’s development and wellbeing, so normalising the topic of PNDA in dads is a conversation we need to keep having.
However, men may not talk openly about their emotions particularly when this may illicit shame, so we encourage friends and family to check in and ask direct questions outside of asking how mum or baby are doing.
If a friend has recently become a parent, ask them to catch up and play their favourite sport/game or even just over a coffee at work.
Asking direct questions such as “How are you?” or “How are you navigating the ups and downs of the first few weeks?” can be a great starting point, providing an opportunity for them to open up about how they’re really coping.
If needed, you can then point them in the direction of available supports and resources, including Gidget Foundation Australia’s virtual villages and peer support groups, to connect with other dads.
It’s important to note that if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of PNDA that does not settle within two weeks, further professional support may be needed.
We provide up to 10 free, GP-referred psychological counselling sessions per calendar year with a specially trained peri-natal clinician, which can be conducted face-to- face at one of our Gidget House locations, or via telehealth.
However, if you are in need of urgent help, please call your local hospital or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Zach’s story is a reminder that new dads need to be taken care of too.
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Originally published as Peri-natal depression and anxiety affects dads too
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