(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- New fathers are vulnerable to postpartum depression, according to a new study.
Anywhere between 8 percent and 50 percent of new dads expressed feelings of depression, research from the University of Illinois at Chicago indicates.
Dr. Sam Wainwright said many fathers feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility to be the strong, traditional provider -- a concept that’s slowly moving into antiquity.
“They might be experiencing a lot of fear around being a parent, a lot of stress, a lot of sleeplessness, a lot of sort of unknowns without a lot of places to turn to, to ask for help,” Wainwright said.
Struggling with the transition to parenthood can lead to excessive use of alcohol or becoming emotionally withdrawn, he said.
The purpose of this study is to educate dads and family physicians about the need to address postpartum depression in fathers. The idea of providing support for dads has not been given much thought.
Wainwright adds this same scenario is playing out among different cultures and among different family dynamics that include non-birthing partners in same-sex relationships.
In addition to the national mental health hotline 988, all Illinois residents can call the 24-hour Northshore MOMS hotline for support at 866-364-MOMS.
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