Post Date December, 03 2023
Not long ago, the media reported the scene of a man in Chengdu cutting his throat in public: facing hours of hard advice from relatives and friends, the man suddenly wiped his neck with a blade, and immediately stained his shirt with blood. Fortunately, the police dealt with it decisively and prevented a greater tragedy from happening.
Afterwards, the man's father said, "The relationship between the son and daughter-in-law has always been good. The daughter-in-law did not work before and after giving birth, and the son has been struggling with job hunting recently. He often complains about the high pressure of life, leading to gradual mental disorders
Actually, this is a typical postpartum depression. In the past, people used to think that women were prone to postpartum depression, but more and more studies have shown that postpartum depression is not a "patent" for women. According to a survey in the United States, the proportion of wives suffering from postpartum depression is 14%, while the proportion of husbands suffering from the same disease is 10%, and they are prone to "infecting" their wives.
The main reasons for postpartum depression in men are: firstly, due to a lack of sufficient psychological preparation for having children, the sudden addition of a child can significantly increase family expenses and increase economic pressure on men. For some low-income individuals, it is more likely to cause impact and keep them constantly in a state of concern. If unemployment occurs, the mental impact on men will be even greater. Secondly, as a husband, in addition to earning money at work, he also needs to take care of his wife and children when he comes home. He doesn't have enough rest and sleep, and over time, he may feel restless and physically and mentally exhausted. Thirdly, with a child, the wife usually transfers most of her energy to the child, and the husband may experience a significant psychological gap. Some wives may neglect the other party sexually after giving birth, which can easily lead to male depression and depression if not handled well.
Postpartum depression in males is difficult to detect
Postpartum depression in men is often characterized by persistent depression, with some developing from depression to grief. In severe cases, psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions may occur. Generally speaking, a preliminary diagnosis of depression can be made by having at least four symptoms, with a duration of no less than 2 weeks.
Feeling low, usually characterized by "heavy morning and light evening";
Slow thinking, reduced memory, slow brain response, etc;
Reduced activity, unwilling to participate in social activities, often preferring solitude;
Often feeling anxious and guilty, worried about adding burden to the family;
Sleep disorders, characterized by early awakening;
Symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations, chest tightness, gastrointestinal discomfort, and constipation are common;
Having a mentality and behavior of self abandonment, worldliness, or suicide;
Significant decrease in sexual desire.
It is worth mentioning that male depression is often not understood, and they are more inclined to hide their emotions in front of others, but their inner depths are extremely painful, oppressive, sad, and sorrowful. This is related to men being constrained by traditional values and demanding to play a role of perseverance and strength. But this kind of 'suppression' cannot last long, and in the end, we must find an 'outlet' to vent it. This kind of venting is often very aggressive and destructive, such as throwing things, hitting and cursing people, drinking excessively, gambling excessively, speeding, and even committing suicide or murder. According to reports, although women are more likely to attempt suicide due to depression, the violence or mortality rate of male suicide is much higher than that of women.
