Postpartum depression in the father: A relevant problem that requires attention

Postpartum depression (PPD) is recognized as a problem related to women with newborn babies and does not consider the role of men in this event. However, fathers also experience significant changes in their lives, both during pregnancy and after childbirth, as pregnancy and the first years of motherhood are important stages in life that increase emotional vulnerability and can be reflected in the emergence or recurrence of emotional disorders, mainly depression, for both parents. Men often delay seeking help or fail to recognize their mood and behavioral changes as symptoms of depression, which makes the problem more difficult to identify and with the possibility of negative repercussions for both the patient and family members. Given the relevance of the topic and its importance for individual and community health, this article presents a narrative review of the main characteristics of postpartum depression, its risk and protective factors, the clinical manifestations that can be observed among men, the main tools for screening and diagnostic assistance, therapeutic indications, and preventive actions that can contribute to reducing the emergence of this important emotional health problem affecting fathers.