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What is postnatal depression and anxiety?

Many new parents feel tired or overwhelmed, but postnatal depression and anxiety are different. In postnatal depression, feelings of overwhelming stress, sadness, numbness or hopelessness are more persistent and are more severe than the emotions you would expect as a new parent.

The experience of pregnancy and the year that follows, place new parents at a higher risk of developing depression or anxiety. As a new dad, you can also be affected. Depression affects 1 in 10 fathers from the first trimester of pregnancy and through the baby’s first year. Anxiety is also common in dads, with 1 in 6 fathers affected during their partner’s pregnancy, and around and 1 in 5 suffering anxiety in the period after the baby is born. By recognising the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety in yourself or your partner, you can help your family recover.

While these experiences are common, that doesn’t mean they are normal. If you are a father struggling with depression or anxiety, there’s lots of support available to help you get back to enjoying life and your new baby.

What is the difference between postnatal anxiety and depression?

Both anxiety and depression are more common after the birth of a baby. Many people who have postnatal anxiety will have postnatal depression at the same time. Some symptoms are similar, but anxiety and depression are different conditions that may require a different approach to treatment.

In postnatal depression, your mood is usually affected, while in postnatal anxiety, you will experience feelings of worry or fear that are difficult to control. In both conditions, you may struggle to cope with your daily activities.

Am I at risk of postnatal depression or anxiety?

Depression and anxiety may be more common for some fathers if:

• you have had anxiety or depression before, or your partner has depression or anxiety
• you have relationship difficulties
• you have another health condition
• you use drugs or alcohol, now or in the past
• you worry about your financial situation, or your work is not flexible or accommodating of your new circumstance
• your experiences as a new parent do not match your expectations
• the birth experience was difficult, or if your baby is very unsettled or sick

Another important risk factor is being of feeling unsupported. If you don’t have practical, emotional or social support you are more vulnerable. If you have risk factors, it’s very important you reach out and get the support you need. This can help reduce your chance of developing depression or anxiety as well as help you cope better if you do.

Having one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will develop postnatal depression or anxiety.

What are signs of postnatal depression and anxiety?

Different people will experience postnatal depression and anxiety differently, but many people will experience similar symptoms or difficulties.

It’s a good idea to be aware of common signs of postnatal depression and anxiety, as they are often missed or dismissed as a normal part of life with a new baby.

Common signs of postnatal depression you might notice include:

• feeling low or not feeling anything (feeling numb)
• feeling hopeless or worthless
• losing interest in others, including your new baby
• sleeping too much, or having difficulty sleeping
• changes in appetite, together with weight loss or weight gain
• difficulty coping with daily activities
• thoughts of harming yourself or your child

Anxiety has a broad range of symptoms, but some common ones are:

• thoughts, fears and worries that you can’t stop thinking about
• feeling more irritable, restless or tense than usual
• feeling like your heart is racing, strong palpitations or a feeling of tightness in your chest
• recurring fears that something bad will happen, or a sense of worry that you are not a good enough parent
• being unable to sleep, even when your baby is settled or sleeping

If your partner has a mental health condition this can also affect you, and increase your risk of experiencing mental health challenges.

How is postnatal depression or anxiety treated?

If you notice symptoms of postnatal depression or anxiety, talk to your doctor. They may ask about how you have been feeling, give you a questionnaire to complete and ask to speak to your partner, if you have one. They may also do a physical examination.

Try to be as honest as you can — that will make it easier for the doctor to give you the treatment and support you need. Remember, postnatal anxiety and depression are extremely common, including among new fathers. There’s no need to feel ashamed.

If your symptoms are mild, it might be enough to get extra support from your family, friends and doctor or healthcare nurse. If your symptoms are more significant, your doctor might recommend psychological therapies or an antidepressant medication.

If you are struggling with postnatal depression or anxiety, it’s especially important to look after your physical and mental health. You can do this by:

• accepting practical help and emotional support from friends and friends
• eating a healthy diet
• keeping active – don’t give up exercising, although you may need to make some adjustments to your schedule
• planning for regular sleep – set a sleep schedule with your partner to share the load
• using stress-management techniques, such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing

It can be especially difficult to establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle while you’re looking after a new baby. There is no shame in asking for and accepting help from family and friends. Self-care is important to keep yourself physically and mentally healthy. Plus, if you look after yourself, your whole family will benefit – especially your new baby.

Resources and support

• Talk to your partner, a friend who is a dad, or someone else you trust.
• See a GP – they are trained in providing mental health support.
• Read more in the Beyond Blue Guide for new dads, partners and other carers.
• Learn more from Support for Fathers
• Learn more about support for dads from the Gidget Foundation
• Call one of these support services:
• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) — 1300 726 306 (Monday to Saturday)
• ForWhen — 1300 24 23 22 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm)
• Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636