Can men get the baby blues?

I feel down, I mean ... really down!!!

My wife had a baby a couple of weeks ago and, after the initial elation I am surprised to find myself feeling quite down. Can men get something like the baby blues as well as women?
Yes, fathers are vulnerable to similar emotions to a new mother, and there's some evidence that new dads can become depressed after the birth of a baby as well. That's one of the reasons we know that the baby blues aren't exclusively caused by hormonal changes.

Many factors can contribute to these feelings. The most common are:

fear of fatherhood (worries about new responsibilities and loss of freedom, for example)
financial concerns (stress over added expenses, worry about surviving on a single income and so on)
role anxieties (Will I be a good father? Will I be just like my father?).

What compounds the stress is that men are brought up not to share their fears; they are often told to "take it like a man" and "just deal with it". Unfortunately, keeping silent about your emotions actually increases stress. Try to talk to your partner, a friend or your GP about anything that's worrying you. By expressing your anxieties, you're more likely to get a clearer perspective and the support you need to feel better.

Occasionally new dads develop depression that goes beyond the "blues". Clinical depression needs to be taken seriously. It's also very treatable. People who are depressed may:

feel fatigued and anxious;
be preoccupied with finances;
begin to withdraw from the family;
be irritable;
sleep poorly or too much.

If you have any of these symptoms beyond a couple of weeks, you should seek the help of your doctor.

Like new mums, dads need support, encouragement, reassurance and a safe place to air their concerns. Talk about the changes in your lives with your partner. Support each other. Remember that you, too, are entitled to some extra TLC and attention during this transition, and don't be afraid to ask for it.