Dads’ Mental Health 

Fathers can also be at risk of struggling with their mental health during the perinatal period (the time from conception until the baby’s first birthday). Having a baby is an emotionally demanding time for all, so it is important to ensure that you care for yourself, too.

Pregnancy, labour and the newborn stage are all demanding times for both mother and father. Often new fathers are so involved in the care of their newborn and supporting their partners recovery that their own mental health will decline over time, sometimes without notice. You can read more about our work expanding mental health support for Dads and carers here.

It is important to know that there is no shame in struggling, especially at a time when:

• There is a limited paternity leave

• Relationships change

• You become the main emotional and physical support for your partner

• There are so many social pressures

• There is a focus on the mother/birthing person and baby rather than you

• You have a fear of how you are going to be a good parent

• You have additional financial pressures due to paternity and maternity pay

 

There are some common risk factors associated with fathers’ mental health struggles. These include:

• Mother/birthing person is suffering from poor perinatal mental health

• Stigma and discrimination

• A perceived lack of support

• Financial/home pressures/social deprivation

• Witnessing birth trauma

• Personal history of poor mental health

• Sleep deprivation

• Previous loss/family loss

• Infertility issues/trouble conceiving

• Alcohol/drug misuse

• Work and family conflicts

We know that a significant number of fathers suffer from poor mental health, but many do not come forward. It is important to know that there is no shame in having your own struggles and there is support out there for you.

Early recognition, support and treatment can be a huge benefit to the health and wellbeing of the whole family unit, so it is important to seek professional help/guidance from a GP or midwife as soon as you think that you or someone you know is affected by any of these symptoms.

Depression 

Depression is recognised via a series of symptoms that impact a person’s ability to conduct normal daily activities and last for 2-4 weeks or more. The most common symptoms include:

· Feeling sad, low or down the majority of time

· Regularly feeling tearful

· A loss of pleasure in doing the things that used to bring enjoyment

· Feeling unusually sleepy during the day or an inability to get out of bed

· Intrusive thoughts

· Struggling with concentration

· Becoming unusually indecisive

· Irritability, short tempered and rageful outbursts

· Becoming isolated and avoiding social situations

· Feeling restless, short tempered or agitated

· A loss of self-confidence and feelings of worthlessness

· A sense of overwhelming guilt

· Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

· Struggling to bond with your baby

· Struggling with everyday parenting or daily routine tasks

· Over or under eating

· Increase in alcohol consumption

Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling we all get in a situation that is perceived as life threatening or difficult. Normally, this anxiety stops when you get used to the situation, when the situation changes, or if you leave the situation. However, with an anxiety disorder/mental illness the feeling of dread and imminent danger doesn’t go away. If left untreated, this can lead to depression and a paralysing fear of normal activities.

Although some people find a particular situation triggers their anxiety, many do not always know what they are feeling anxious about. Not knowing what triggers your anxiety can intensify it and you may start to worry that there’s no solution.

The body reacts to anxiety in two different ways, causing either psychological or physical symptoms.

Psychological symptoms include:

• Feeling anxious all or most of the time and not being able to control it

• Restlessness

• Feeling very worried

• Feeling a sense of dread

• Being unable to concentrate, or feeling like your mind goes blank

• Feeling irritable

• Feeling constantly on edge

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Catastrophising and experiencing unwanted negative thoughts

Physical symptoms include:

• A racing heartbeat

• A feeling of dread or fear of dying

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath/hyperventilation

• Feeling dizzy

• Excessive sweating

• Feeling faint

• Feeling shaky/unable to steady hands

• Tingling in the hands/feet

• Churning stomach

• Aches and pains

Your symptoms may cause you to withdraw from social contact (seeing your family and friends) to avoid feelings of worry and dread.

 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a more severe reaction to birth trauma. PTSD is a term to describe a number of reactions that can occur in parents who have experienced a traumatic event. This may or may not have been perceived as life threatening at the time.

Many experiences can cause PTSD. These include a difficult birth, a rapid or quick delivery, physical pain/injury during birth, mental/physical exhaustion through pregnancy and/or the birth, a birth plan that did not go the way you anticipated, or significant or unwanted intervention in the birth.

PTSD symptoms include:

Re-experiencing

Re-experiencing is the most typical symptom of PTSD.

This is when a person involuntarily and vividly relives the traumatic event through:

• Flashbacks

• Nightmares

• Repetitive and distressing images or sensations

• Physical sensations, such as pain, sweating, feeling sick or trembling

Avoidance

• People will avoid the place or a situation where the trauma occurred, or one that reminds them of the traumatic experience

Hyperarousal

Hyperarousal is the consistent feeling of being ‘on edge’ This feeling often leads to:

• Irritability

• Angry outbursts • Sleeping problems (insomnia)

• Difficulty concentrating

Disruption to everyday life can be quite marked if you do not receive appropriate help and support, so it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible if you think that you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms. Treatment and support can make a full recovery possible.

More information on PTSD can be found here: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | Royal College of Psychiatrists (rcpsych.ac.uk)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterised by recurrent intrusive thoughts, which can lead to repetitive behaviour.

OCD has 3 main elements:

• Obsessions – These are unwanted, intrusive and often distressing thoughts, images or urges that repeatedly enter your mind without warning and have limited relief

• Emotions – The obsessions can leave a feeling of intense anxiety and/or distress, guilt, disgust or eventually depression

• Compulsions – These are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that a person with OCD feels driven to perform as a result of the anxiety and distress caused by the obsession. If the compulsion is not acted out, it can lead to a severe emotional response

Most obsessions in the perinatal period involve an intense fear of germs/dirt, but may involve things you did or didn’t do to keep your baby safe. They can also centre around an image or thought that you may harm your child or that someone else may harm you or your family.

Compulsions often involve the care of the new baby and/or other children. For example, you may feel the need to check on the baby so regularly checking that you are unable to sleep at night for fear of them stopping breathing. Or you may begin ritualistically and excessively washing, cleaning, or sterilising for fear of the baby/children becoming unwell. You may experience severe guilt at doing or not doing something for your baby/children, and you may seek approval from others regularly to ensure you are a good enough parent. You may also find yourself avoiding situations you fear are too dangerous or could potentially allow your fears and obsessions to become a reality.

Most people suffering from OCD find that their compulsive behaviour temporarily relieves the anxiety, but the obsession and anxiety soon return, causing the cycle to begin again.

Disruption to everyday life can be quite marked if you do not receive appropriate help and support, so it is important if you think you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms to seek professional help as soon as possible. Treatment and support means that most people make a full recovery.

More information about OCD can be found here: Perinatal OCD | Royal College of Psychiatrists (rcpsych.ac.uk)