Jeffrey Gantwerker vividly recalls the early moments after his son’s birth, marked by joy and tenderness. However, those initial feelings soon gave way to intense anxiety and an overwhelming fixation on the rapid changes his child was undergoing. He described an “impending sense of crushing doom” and intrusive thoughts that each moment represented a version of his son that would soon be lost. Despite his efforts to cherish every second, he found himself unable to fully appreciate the experience.

Gantwerker, 46, a program manager in Chicago, was later diagnosed with a form of postpartum depression—an affliction traditionally associated with mothers but increasingly recognized in fathers. Experts estimate that about 10 percent of new fathers experience symptoms of depression and anxiety during the perinatal period, which spans from pregnancy through the first year after childbirth. This figure is approximately half the rate observed among mothers but may underrepresent the true prevalence due to differences in how men experience and report symptoms.

Sheehan Fisher, a perinatal psychologist at Northwestern University, emphasizes that men face many of the same risks as women during this period. Unlike women, who may exhibit classic depressive symptoms, men often express distress through irritability, anger, or physical complaints such as muscle tension or stomach pain. Daniel Singley, a psychologist specializing in men’s mental health, notes that fathers may mask their struggles by turning to harmful coping mechanisms, including substance use or gambling. Social and cultural norms can also inhibit men from acknowledging their mental health challenges, as some prioritize supporting their partners or feel reluctant to admit vulnerability.

Christopher Choukalas, an anesthesiologist and author from San Francisco, described his own experience with what he terms postnatal depression following the birth of his twin daughters. He recounted a sense of overwhelm, detachment, and rigid control over childcare routines, which strained his relationship with his wife and exacerbated his emotional distress. Significant personal factors, including a traumatic childbirth experience involving his wife and childhood adversity, likely contributed to his condition. Choukalas’ journey toward recovery included therapy and medication, highlighting the importance of professional support.

Research suggests that perinatal depression in both men and women arises from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. Darby Saxbe, a USC psychology professor, points to disruptions in routine, sleep deprivation, shifting responsibilities, and changes in self-identity as contributors. Hormonal fluctuations also play a role; while women experience estrogen shifts around childbirth, fathers often undergo declines in testosterone, especially when actively caring for their infants. These hormonal changes may be evolutionary adaptations to encourage paternal involvement but can also influence mood.

The timing of symptom onset may differ between genders. While many women develop depression during pregnancy or in the weeks immediately following birth, men are at elevated risk three to six months postpartum, a period characterized by infants’ increasing demands and maternal transitions such as returning to work. Both Fisher and Singley emphasize the strong association between a mother’s postpartum depression and paternal mental health challenges.

Support networks and targeted interventions have proven beneficial for affected fathers. Christopher Rose, a video game producer from Richmond, California, found solace in fathers’ support groups and individual therapy after experiencing depression alongside his wife. He and his partner employed creative strategies to manage anger, including humorously naming their irritability as a shared signal to check in with one another.

Gantwerker sought help several months after his son’s birth in 2019, prompted by his wife’s observation of his visible distress. He recalls frequently sleeping while holding the baby in the small nursery and performing daily tasks with one hand while comforting his child. Therapy helped him disrupt the cyclical distressing thoughts and recognize he was not alone in his experience. When their daughter arrived in 2022, he was better equipped to manage symptoms, acknowledging that while intrusive thoughts still occur, he can now shift his focus and cope more effectively.

These accounts and emerging research underscore the growing awareness that postpartum depression is not exclusively a maternal issue but one that can significantly impact fathers, warranting attention, understanding, and support.