I think I have postpartum depression but I'm a dad

Dec 19·1 min read

Baby's 8 weeks old, second kid. Wife's doing okay actually. But I'm absolutely struggling. Zero motivation, everything feels pointless, I'm snapping at people for no reason, sleeping like garbage even when I get the chance. I keep reading that postpartum depression is for moms but honestly I think this is what it feels like for me. Has anyone else been through this? Is it even called that for dads?

5 comments147 views

Comments(5)

WWill R.RegularDec 21

Everything feeling pointless on top of the anger and bad sleep... yeah man, that's not normal new dad exhaustion. Please don't just wait it out thinking it'll pass. I did that for 4 months and it got worse

MMatt W.RegularDec 20

Have you tried talking to someone yet or still in the "I should probably" phase? Because the snapping at people thing combined with the sleep and motivation issues—that's worth a phone call to your GP this week

GGreg W.RegularDec 22

8 weeks is still early but if you're sleeping like garbage even when the baby sleeps, that's your signal right there. Hormone shifts hit dads too, plus sleep deprivation is its own thing. Both are treatable

BBrad H.RegularDec 22

Postpartum depression absolutely happens to dads. It's real and you're not weak for feeling it. The zero motivation + anger spiral is textbook. Please talk to your doctor, not just your wife

AAaron W.RegularDec 21

The fact that your wife is fine actually makes sense for why you might be minimizing it. Like you're comparing and losing. But that's not how this works. You still need help