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Redbook Article : Men Get Postpartum Depression Too

by Dr. Sarah Allen
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I felt very privileged to be interviewed by Redbook magazine about my professional opinion on paternal depression. In the past few years there has been a growing recognition that a new baby in the house can affect dads as well as moms, but not always in the same way.

I hope that articles such a this help grow awareness, lessen the stigma and help let men know that support and treatment is available for them too.

The article described many men’s personal experiences of depression and shows that new dads can feel just as lonely and isolated as new moms.

My comments in the article are quoted below:

While many symptoms of male postpartum depression mimic those experienced by women –– fatigue, lack of motivation, feeling discouraged –– there are some that are more specific to men, including violent behavior, a drive to constantly work, increased conflict with others, and uncharacteristic impulsiveness or risk-taking, says Dr. Sarah Allen, psychologist and director of the Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois. The shame that men so often associate with feelings of sadness or hopelessness only worsens their symptoms, she adds.

Experts say risk factors for postpartum depression include a traumatic pregnancy or birth, stress, a family history of mental health issues, and a traumatic childhood. Allen explains that it’s rarely just one of the above that leads to postpartum depression, but more often a combination of triggers, both physical and emotional. “In women, it can be caused by hormonal changes, but the sleep deprivation caused by looking after a baby can be a huge trigger for both parents,” says Allen. “In terms of emotional triggers, there’s the sense of responsibility from keeping a little human alive; financial concerns, especially if the couple has lost the income of the parent staying home to look after the baby’ a feeling of isolation; and the loss of a sense of self, as you no longer have the time or the energy to do the things you used to love.”

Please read the whole article by clicking this link below:

 

Redbook Magazine – Men Get Postpartum Depression Too by Caroline Shannon-Karasik

 

If you would like to read more about Paternal Depression please take a look at my blog post:

Dad's Are At Risk For PPD Too

Dad’s Are At Risk For Depression After A Baby Too

 

 

If you want to read more about maternal mental health download the FREE Guide To Pregnancy & Postpartum Stress, Anxiety & Depression. It is full of information about symptoms, different types of maternal mood disorders and advice about what to do to start feeling like yourself again.

THE GUIDE TO PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM STRESS, ANXIETY & DEPRESSION ebookPREGNANCY / POSTPARTUM MOOD SCREENING TEST ebook

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Dr. Sarah Allen has 20+ years experience as a psychologist helping women transition to being the mom they want to be. She is also the Director of the Postpartum Depression Alliance of IL, a non-profit offering info and support to pregnant and postpartum moms and their families.

In her Northbrook office, in the North Suburbs of Chicago, or via telephone or online counseling she offers the most convenient way for you to access support and help.

If you have questions after reading this article or the Guide To Pregnancy & Postpartum Stress, Anxiety & Depression or have any questions about how counseling can be useful to your particular circumstances please contact me at 847 791-7722 or on the form below.

    Dr. Allen's professional license only allows her to work with clients who live in IL & FL and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients.

     

    Dr Sarah Allen small logoIf you would like to read my blog posts of a variety of topics such as Anxiety, Depression, Parenting, Emotional Eating and Couples & Family Counseling click  Dr. Allen’s Blog and then go to the relevant section that interests you.

     

    If you found this information helpful please share!

    Filed Under: Pregnancy and Postpartum

    Pregnancy & Postpartum Disorder

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  • Testimonials

    When I had my first baby I had what I now know was postpartum depression but I didn’t get any help. It did go away after about 18mths but it was a miserable way to begin motherhood.  When I was pregnant with my second child I started to become depressed again and this time told my OB/GYN how I was feeling and she referred me to Sarah. By starting to deal with how I felt and change the way I was handling the stresses in my life, I was in a much better place when my baby was born. The second time round my PPD was much less severe and didn’t last as long. Sarah was also really helpful in teaching me ways to make the transition of becoming a big sister easier for my oldest one too.   My husband came with me for some sessions and that really helped our relationship and we started working on parenting issues together.  Sarah’s counsel and support really helped our family transition to the good place we are all in today.
    Sara D.
    I began seeing Dr. Allen when my first child was around a year old. I had experienced a very traumatic birth, after a difficult pregnancy where I was on bed rest for a good portion of the time. The first year of my son’s life was spent worrying constantly. I also experienced flashbacks to the birth, which was an emergency C-section under general anesthesia. My son was in the NICU for several days following his birth, and I was not given very much information as to why. I remember thinking that he would die, or that something awful was going to happen. I experienced a great deal of anxiety that first year, and I thought that it was due to being a new mom. I wasn’t sleeping, I wasn’t eating as normal, and I remember being worried about leaving the house or taking my baby with me anywhere. I worried constantly about illness, germs, etc. The first day that I saw Dr. Allen, she gave me some questionnaires to fill out before we started talking. Then we sat down and talked about my experiences with my son’s birth and the early days of his life, and the year or so since then. I remember to this day the relief that I felt when she looked at me and said that I had PPD and PTSD, which was a result of the trauma I experienced during and immediately after the birth of my son. She explained how my brain had reacted to the stress of these events, and related it to why I was feeling the way that I felt. It made so much sense. Then, she described ways that I could get over the trauma, work through the feelings, and recover from PTSD and PPD. I felt so empowered, and so happy that the way I felt had a name, and that it was treatable. It also made me feel so validated in the ways that I had felt and reacted following my son’s birth. I wasn’t going crazy. My reaction was normal and natural. And with the help of Dr. Allen, and the type of therapy that she uses, I knew I could recover. It is over five years since that first visit with Dr. Allen, and I still use the tools that she taught me today to deal with stress. I credit her with helping me to become a more empowered, happier person.
    Elizabeth
    I refer as many patients as I can to Dr. Allen. She is an expert in treating perinatal mood disorders, and a well-trained and experienced therapist who is committed to working with her clients to develop a treatment plan designed for each individual. She exhibits genuine warmth, kindness and compassion for each of her clients. Dr. Allen has been a colleague of mine for more than 20 years, and I have great confidence when I refer patients to her.
    Leslie Lowell StoutenburgRNC, MS, FACCE Director, Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorder Program and President of Postpartum Support International
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