Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 56

ASK THE EXPERT BY JENNIFER LEE

Dads can get
postpartum
depression,
too.

Rene Latoni, MD,
GMG primary
care provider

Q

DADDY BLUES?

While men don't experience the same hormonal changes that
women do post-pregnancy, Rene Latoni, MD, a GMG primary
care provider, says everything from feelings of spousal neglect to
heightened stress can be linked to paternal postpartum depression.

Q

How often do men
exhibit the typical signs
and symptoms of
postpartum depression?
Due to the high number of unreported
cases, researchers struggle to accurately
report statistics on this topic. Even so,
according to the 2010 Journal of the
American Medical Association, 1 in 10
men experiences some type of paternal
postpartum depression (PPD). In fact,
men are 50 percent more likely to suffer
if their wife is also suffering, which could
potentially mean millions of men could
be experiencing these symptoms.

Q
56

FA L L 2 0 1 9

Q

If a male patient is suffering
from PPD, what would be
the course of treatment?
As with any mental health diagnosis,
it depends on the severity of the
condition. Because men are more likely
to show their emotion in a brandish
way, it is important that his support
system be sensitive to that as well as
potential triggers, such as a lack of
support or a lack of sleep. A few key
tactics I recommend: Be patient with
one another, as having a baby is a huge
change and PPD doesn't heal overnight.
Remember to take time to be a couple,
not just parents, and call on friends and
family for help.

APPOINTMENTS

Help for Moms
Ladies, don't forget to take
care of you, too! Postpartum
depression is nothing to be
embarrassed about and is hard
to overcome on your own. Make
an appointment with a GMG
primary care provider by visiting
gwinnettmedicalgroup.com/
pcpscheduling.

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

What exactly are the signs
we should be looking for?
Oftentimes we look for signs
in men that we see in women. However,
it is important to remember that men
and women experience postpartum
depression differently, not only because

of their genetic makeup but also due
to societal expectations. Men dealing
with PPD may suppress their emotions,
leading to increased anger, violent
outbursts or cynicism.

What advice would you give
to men who are trying to
deal with these issues alone?
Men are often plagued by the need to be
strong and sometimes even stoic; this can
prevent them from getting the help they
need. Perhaps, if men understood that
PPD was not only an emotional issue but
also a physical one, they might be more
willing to get checked out. For instance,
studies have found a link between
lower testosterone levels and paternal
depression. This connection may be
enough for men to start treating this as
a medical issue. It is important for new
parents to recognize the signs early and
take the appropriate steps to helping
dads feel better.
See a doctor if symptoms persist,
don't fade, interfere with caring for your
child or include thoughts of harming
yourself or your child. ■
https://www.gwinnettmedicalgroup.com/primary-care/scheduling https://www.gwinnettmedicalgroup.com/primary-care/scheduling
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC

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