PPD for Father's

[ScareDad]

I am 46 years old with a 20 year old daughter and remarried 6 years ago and just had a baby boy.He is wonderful and has made us so happy,but Im a mess.I get so worried about everything now.Im woried about money,job,security and just about everything.I think the biggest one is my own mortality and not being around long enough even though im very healthy..I get so bad I have anxiety attacks about everything and am now taking an inventory of my whole life..I get nervous when my wifes goes to the store in fear something may happen to her.She is so very understanding and we are a very happy couple.This has benn going on for 3 weeks and started right after birth.I feel I need to suck it up and deal with it but these feelings are very real....

[gilnikche]

Sure sounds like severe anxiety to me! It certainly is not exclusively a woman's domain.

Have you considered talking to someone about it? Perhaps a good friend that is also a dad...

[ScareDad]

Originally Posted by gilnikche

Sure sounds like severe anxiety to me! It certainly is not exclusively a woman's domain.

Have you considered talking to someone about it? Perhaps a good friend that is also a dad...

Ya thanks for the input,I have talked to a few and some have had similar feelings not quite as bad,I think being older may have something to do with it..

[mommyofboy]

It does sound like a lot of anxiety.

But maybe you are just adjusting to the new baby, etc. Babies and kids make us worry a lot.

IF this goes on for much longer, I would consider talking to someone.

Having a baby does make you think of all those things you never thought that much about, etc. I have had those worries about my husband dying in a car accident, etc. Or something happening to the baby.

[MsMoMpls]

My husband was in his forties when we had our first. I have an older son so I felt I knew what to expect but clearly the age thing makes it all very different. For me, one of my grandfathers died in his 30's the other his 50's and I am sure my dh is going to drop dead. Since I was single with my first, this wasn't an issue and who thinks about these things in their 20's? My advice- get life insurance, wear your seatbelt, live a good life and kiss your babe. Not much we can do about age. If your worries are interfering in your ability to enjoy, consider an antidepressant.

[ScareDad]

I think I need some time to adjust,and if it does not improve I will consider seeing a professional..

[Jish]

Scaredad, I'm only 35, but my depression manifested in severe anxiety -- mainly about my health and dying. I wasn't ever what you would call "depressed" as we tend to think of it. My psychiatrist told me that anytime my anxiety goes on for more than two weeks, then it likely isn't going to just go away anytime soon. It's often a brain chemistry thing that can be brought on my sleep deprivation, stress, and many other factors. If it continues on much longer, I would talk to a doctor. I was on an antidepressant for nine months and had good luck going off. Typically, it takes 6 months to a year to get the brain chemistry back on track. The crazy thing was that I didn't realize just how anxiety ridden I had been until the meds started working and I was back to my old self and anxiety free.

If you would like, I'd be happy to share more of my situation with you. Just let me know. Anxiety, especially the panic attacks, suck. I'm walking a fine line right now and I'm hoping to stay ahead of it. Maybe we can comiserate.