Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW, President of Postpartum Support International joined us on EmpowHer and to talk about a CBS News story that explained how men are experiencing PPD / Postpartum Depression.

Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW, President of Postpartum Support International joined EmpowHer to explain the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act that's working it's way through the United States Congress. After hearing this interview, please click on the link below and sign the petition.

Fathers with postpartum depression (PPD) have symptoms that are often different from the fluctuating moods and emotions that moms with PPD exhibit. As a rule, fathers have more tension and short-temperedness along with fear, anger, frustration, and helplessness. Dads with PPD are
concerned about their partners, their disrupted family life, and financial problems. They have increased expectations for themselves, decreased sleep, confusion over their new role, and increased responsibilities (especially if the mom has PPD).

Male postpartum depression may have more negative effects on some aspects of a child's development than its female counterpart, says James F. Paulson, PhD, of the Center for Pediatric Research at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va.

Paulson and colleagues reviewed data on more than 5,000 two-parent families with children aged 9 months.

The research, presented here at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), also showed that the 14% of new moms have postpartum depression. That compares to 7% to 10% of women in the general population.

Print out a copy of this list and carry it around with you until these statements come naturally to you (then you know you don’t need the list anymore!). Feel free to replace the underlined part of each sentence with your own words. If you have difficulty truly believing any of these statements, review them and add your own spin on them with the help of a therapist.

- I’m a good mom because I’m trying to get well, and I care about my family.

- I’m a good mom because I’m getting help for myself and my child(ren) will benefit.