Postpartum depression in dads: signs, causes and help
Postpartum depression isn't only something mothers go through. About 1 in 10 fathers become depressed during pregnancy or in the first year after their baby arrives, and many of them never hear that it can happen to dads.
What it looks like in fathers
Depression in men often doesn't look like sadness. It can look like:
- Irritability, a short fuse, or anger
- Pulling away from your partner, baby, or friends
- Working longer hours to avoid home
- Drinking more, gaming, or endless scrolling
- Feeling numb, trapped, or hopeless
- Trouble sleeping even when the baby sleeps
- Constant worry or racing thoughts
- Headaches, stomach problems, or exhaustion
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- Thinking your family would be better off without you
- Sudden, unwanted thoughts or images of the baby getting hurt
If several of these have lasted more than two weeks, talk to a doctor or therapist. If you've thought your family would be better off without you, or about harming yourself, call or text 988 now. You don't have to be sure it's an emergency.
Dads get scary, unwanted thoughts too: sudden thoughts or images of the baby getting hurt that horrify you. They are common in new parents, including fathers, they don't mean you will act on them, and they get better with help. Tell your doctor, or call the PSI HelpLine at 1-800-944-4773. If you ever feel like you might act on a thought, call or text 988 now.
Why it happens
There is rarely one cause. Things that raise a dad's risk include:
- A partner with postpartum depression. Fathers whose partners are struggling are at higher risk themselves. You end up carrying the baby, the house, work and worry about her all at once. Read how to help your wife with postpartum depression.
- Lack of sleep over weeks and months.
- A past history of depression or anxiety.
- Money, job or relationship stress.
- Feeling shut out or unsure of your role with the new baby.
- Little support from friends or family, or feeling like you can't tell anyone.
How dads can get help
- Say it out loud to your partner, a friend, or your doctor.
- Not ready to say it out loud? Start with a text. Text 988 any time. It's for anyone who's struggling, not only people thinking about suicide. Or text the word Help to the PSI HelpLine at 1-800-944-4773. It isn't instant: a trained volunteer replies every day between 8am and 11pm ET, with support and referrals.
- See your doctor. Ask to be screened for depression. It's fine to say it started after the baby.
- Talk to a therapist with perinatal or postpartum experience. The Postpartum Support International directory can help you find one.
- Join a free dads' group. See our community page.
More options are on our resources page. Need help right now? See crisis lines you can call or text.
Common questions
Can men get postpartum depression?
Yes. About 1 in 10 new fathers experience depression during pregnancy or in the first year after a baby is born. It is often called paternal postpartum depression, and it is real, common and treatable.
What are the signs of postpartum depression in dads?
In fathers it often shows up as irritability, anger, withdrawing from family, working much more, drinking or escaping into screens, feeling numb or hopeless, trouble sleeping, or thoughts that the family would be better off without you.
When does postpartum depression start in fathers?
It can begin any time during pregnancy or the first year after birth, and it often builds slowly, so many dads don't recognize it until months in.
Is a dad more at risk if his wife has postpartum depression?
Yes. Fathers whose partners have postpartum depression are at higher risk of becoming depressed themselves, often because they are carrying the baby, the household, work and worry about their partner all at once.
Where can a father get help for postpartum depression?
Start with your own doctor, call the Postpartum Support International HelpLine at 1-800-944-4773, or join one of PSI's free online support groups for dads. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Last updated October 2026. Source for "1 in 10": Paulson JF, Bazemore SD. Prenatal and postpartum depression in fathers and its association with maternal depression: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2010;303(19):1961-1969.