What should you know about male post natal depression?

A new father may feel emotionally numb, angry, hopeless or unusually worried rather than openly sad. He may lose interest in family life, avoid the baby, work excessively, use substances, or struggle with concentration. Fatigue and difficulty sleeping can be caused by infant care, but ongoing symptoms that interfere with functioning deserve attention.

Depression can occur alongside insomnia, daytime sleepiness or anxiety. It is not a sign of weak character or poor parenting, and it does not mean a person does not love their child. Partners, relatives and close friends may notice changes first.

Tell a trusted person what has changed and arrange an appointment with a GP or mental-health professional. Describe mood, sleep, appetite, concentration, irritability, alcohol or drug use and frightening thoughts. Treatment may include talking therapy, practical support, medication or a combination, chosen with a clinician.

Protect small periods for sleep, food, movement and contact with supportive people; share baby-care tasks where possible. A partner’s depression does not explain away your symptoms, so seek help for yourself even if the mother is also receiving care.

Get urgent help now if you might harm yourself, your baby or someone else, cannot care safely, feel detached from reality, or hear or see things others do not. Stay with a trusted adult, move away from immediate means of harm and contact local emergency services or an urgent mental-health service.

Ask whether your symptoms fit depression, anxiety, insomnia or another problem; which treatment options suit your sleep and family duties; and how quickly improvement should be reviewed. Ask for a safety plan and local support for fathers and families.