New Dad Shares Struggle with Postpartum Depression

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Zachary Fox thought he was prepared for fatherhood, but was suddenly hit with a dark cloud of postpartum depression after the birth of his son. He lost his sense of identity, struggled to bond with his newborn, and felt overwhelmed by the demands of caring for a baby. With the support of his wife, mother-in-law, and medical professionals, Fox was able to get the help he needed and share his story to support other new dads going through similar experiences.

Why it matters

Postpartum depression is often associated with new mothers, but it can also affect fathers. By sharing his personal journey, Fox hopes to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around men experiencing mental health challenges during the transition to parenthood.

The details

After the birth of his son, Fox experienced a range of difficult emotions - he felt like he had lost his identity, was resentful of the demands of caring for a newborn, and struggled to bond with his child. He was prescribed an antidepressant and encouraged to be open about his feelings, which helped him recover. Fox also found solace in spending time alone in New York City and sharing his story with other expectant fathers.

• Our son's due date sneaked up on us; labor could begin at any time.
• Over the next few days, a hopeless, joyless shadow crawled through my soul.
• When our son was five weeks old, I spent five quiet days alone in New York City.
• We recently celebrated our son's second birthday.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Zachary Fox plans to continue sharing his story and supporting other new fathers who may be struggling with postpartum depression or the challenges of parenthood.