Don't Be Sad, Dad

When it comes to postpartum depression, new moms don't exactly have the market corners. New fathers can get seriously down, too, according to a study presented at the American Psychiatric Association yesterday.

Having a child is one of the most intense and stressful experiences a man can go through, so it's not a surprise that 10% of fathers with a baby at home show clinical syptoms of depression. But what's really troubling is that children are as profoundly affected by their father's sadness as that of their mother. Children of depressed fathers have smaller vocabularies at age two and may suffer psychiatric disorders later in life.

The bright side is that being a sad dad doesn't mean you're a bad dad. As with women, men should seek appropriate help in dealing with their emotions after the baby is born (Yes. We know asking for help of any kind isn't in your DNA. But trust us, it's for the best.) If you deal with the challenges of new fatherhood head on, you'll be helping yourself and your child on your way to being happier.

If any of you have found yourselves hurting after the arrival of your child, please share your stories with us! We want to know what's helped you get through. [USA Today]