Postpartum depression for dads - anyone else?

Nov 231 min read

My daughter is 8 weeks old and I thought this was supposed to be one of the best times of my life. Instead I feel empty and resentful and anxious all the time. I love her but I also hate that everything changed overnight. I miss my old life. My wife is overwhelmed, I'm supposed to be the "strong one," and I'm falling apart. I haven't mentioned this to anyone because what, I'm gonna complain about having a baby to people who can't have kids? Anyway I'm just checking if I'm the only one experiencing this.

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Comments(2)

AAdam J.Regular1d ago

You're definitely not alone—I went through almost exactly this at 10 weeks. The resentment part hit me hardest. I'd look at my son and feel guilty for resenting him, which made the anxiety worse. What helped was finally telling my wife instead of trying to be the "strong one." She was actually relieved because she thought she was failing. Talked to my doctor about it and got on sertraline for a few months. The emptiness you're describing is real and it's treatable. Don't wait on this one.

TTyler K.Regular1d ago

The "what am I gonna complain about" thing is exactly the trap. You don't have to compare your struggle to someone else's infertility to make it valid. You're experiencing a massive hormonal and life shift—yeah dads get hit by this too, people just don't talk about it. Have you checked in with your OB or just your regular doctor? Also real question: are you getting any sleep at all, or is insomnia part of the anxiety?