Dadtalk

Dads and PND

Post-natal depression is experienced by up to half of mothers and it can also directly affect dads. NetMums offers some help and advice

PND (post-natal depression) is experienced by up to half of mothers according to NetMums research carried out in 2004 (A Mums Life).

This means that up to half of the guys who visit DadTalk have a partner who has or is suffering from Post Natal Depression. In addition, up to 10% of new fathers also suffer a similar form of depression after the birth of their child.

The NetMums website is not just for Mums and has a great section on PND covering topics such as:

The Edinburgh Scale - this tool can be used as a starting point for discussion if you or your partner think they may be suffering from PND. It can be used to explore your feelings and consider whether you need to seek some additional help and support.

Dads supporting suffering mums - if you’re struggling to provide support or want to find out more about PND, this page will help you along.

Fathers who suffer from PND - In a perfect world, we'd all fall into our role as parents with ease, but in the majority of cases, it takes time, patience and good communication skills to find our way. In fact it's often this sense of 'not being in control' in their transition to fatherhood that can seem most disruptive and confusing for dads. Read more from NetMums.

Getting help - there are many ways to seek help for postnatal depression. NetMums includes links for local support and national groups.

If this is an issue that is relevant to you, you can also find support via the DadTalk forum - here you can sign up in confidence to talk to other Dads about your experiences. Don’t suffer alone.