Dr. Daniel Allan, a family health physician at Cleveland Clinic, says that like new moms, new dads are also susceptible to anxiety and depression.
"There's been a lot of focus in the past on mom's health, and her mental health and the baby blues, but it occurs in men too," Dr. Allan said. "So sometimes it's good to be aware of that, and just to be able to recognize how you're feeling and how you're doing, and if things are not going very well, there's some things you can do to help."
Dr. Allan says new dads also suffer from lack of sleep and fatigue which can lead to stress.
He recommends that new dads try to get sleep when they can, and even though it's difficult, try to get in some exercise, which can help reduce stress levels.
In addition to the physical stress that raising a newborn can cause for a new dad, financial stresses and responsibilities can also cause anxiety for new parents.
Many dads stress about having to work full time and help care for a newborn, as dads don't often get paid paternity leave or cannot afford to take extended periods of unpaid leave.
Dr. Allan says that it's a good idea to communicate with your significant other about sharing responsibilities so that neither parent gets too overwhelmed, and it's important to remember that you can't do everything all of the time, and that nobody is perfect.
"You have to go into it being prepared that things aren't always going to be perfect," Dr. Allan said. "Okay, there's going to be a messy house; things are not going to get done; meals aren't going to get cooked; sleep isn't going to be great, i think you have to have a realistic approach, a balanced approach; not trying to be perfect and do too much."
Dr. Allan says it's also important for both new parents to try to take some time to spend with each other, get a babysitter, and give themselves a chance to breathe. If you're really having a hard time coping, it's a good idea to reach out to your doctor.
No comments:
Post a Comment