ADHD Dad-What are the challenges of being a dad with ADHD?(and PPD)
Please note if you are struggling with depression and have any thoughts of self harm or harming others, please seek professional help. This blog nor is coaching even a replacement for mental health professionals trained to help you. Please seek help. Post partum in men is very real. You are not alone!
What are the challenges of being a dad with ADHD?
Dad’s with ADHD are truly a challenged subset of parents. If you take the isolating impact of having ADHD along with the overall loneliness of being a man – you get a depressed and lonely individual. Neurotypical dad’s have some pretty severe challenges, let alone dad’s with ADHD.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), around 10% of dads experience postpartum depression (PPD) in the first year after the birth of a child. This is twice the rate of postpartum depression in women.
PPD in fathers is often overlooked because it is less well-known and because fathers may be less likely to seek help for mental health problems. However, PPD in fathers can be just as serious as PPD in mothers, and it can have a negative impact on the father, the child, and the family.
Here are some other stats on dads and depression:
Dads with depressed partners are more likely to experience depression themselves.
Dads who have a history of depression are more likely to experience PPD.
Dads who are stressed or unemployed are more likely to experience depression.
Dads who have difficulty adjusting to parenthood are more likely to experience depression.
Dads who have difficulty bonding with their children are more likely to experience depression.
Depression in dads can have a number of negative consequences, including:
Difficulty bonding with children
Problems in relationships with spouse or partner
Work problems
Financial problems
Substance abuse
Suicide
If you are a dad dealing with PPD, you are not alone. If you are a dad dealing with ADHD and PPD, again you are not alone. This site is not a replacement for therapy or support groups. If you feel ANY inklings towards suicide then its vital to get professional help immediately.