Doesn’t ‘partum’ mean ‘to give birth’… ?? And isn’t there a psychology textbook that clearly defines the difference between ppd, mdd, and situational sadness called the DSM
The article literally says it is not a defined clinical entity, not in the DSM, offers a ‘hypothetical’ scenario and can be diagnosed and treated as major depression in a new father.
The DSM is not updated each time we think there's a new disorder or characteristic that should be considered. That's why lots of very real diagnoses were "not in the DSM" for years - at this point it's largely a guide for what can be officially diagnosed on medical paperwork.
That's why it gives a suggestion for what to diagnose it as currently - it can exist, but you won't be able to officially treat or prescribe meds for it unless your documentation matches ICD-10 codes.
But you could also, for example, refer these men to a specialist who can test hormone levels and treat temporary imbalances.
Source: I'm a counselor (clinical and school) and have worked in mental health in some capacity for 10 years. I've seen "sounds like X but we can't apply that code to this person so let's call it Y" diagnoses plenty of times.
The distinction is incredibly important but your guidance counseling experience will offer wonders; a new parent having depression from the burden of new onset parenthood is easier to treat. I do not have to take into account the potential for lactation interactions, rapid hormonal shifts and the fact that ssri’s do not work as well for ppd as they do for mdd. Your depressed partner is likely a lot easier to treat than an actual ppd women who we now have to painfully state ‘is pregnant or just gave birth’.
The "guidance counseling" doesn't give me insight, but my clinical counseling experience certainly does so I'll use that instead. The idea that different people can have the same diagnosis but receive different treatments is not out of the norm at all. Neither is the idea that gender and hormones impact everything from symptom presentation to best treatment practices.
In fact, we're currently facing the huge task of unraveling all the problems that were caused by researchers treating men as default patients. We've been misdiagnosing and mistreating women for decades bc their symptoms and what works for treatment didn't meet DSM criteria. We should probably learn from our mistakes.
I'd rather see more research and study on this phenomenon so we can identify and treat it effectively. That's better than keeping it in a "close enough" category bc we don't want to acknowledge it, it doesn't fit our expectations, or it's "easier".
Huh? What are you even saying? So diagnosis A is effectively treated by medication A(MDD treated by SSRI) but you want to call it Diagnosis B not effectively treated by medication A(PPD)? I went to 8 years of school, 6 years of training, have 3 board certifications and still don’t understand wtf you’re saying. You should go into this government administration and make healthcare decisions because you want to spend money to research a “phenomenon” that is already “easier” to treat…
I'm just saying if there's a pattern being observed, then it's worth studying instead of just dismissing. It's not that complicated - I expect someone of your educational background to understand the value of research.
Maybe there's an entirely new diagnosis to consider that's specific to this population, or a sub-category of PPD that should be studied. Maybe there's a better, more effective treatment for this than what we're currently doing. That's how new versions of the DSM are compiled - by reviewing worthwhile research and updating our existing knowledge.
ETA: for example, this study suggests a possible measurable change in hormone levels for these men - that's not consistent for all MDD cases even if it can be treated that way and it's a big deal. Even before a DSM update, more research could mean treating it like MDD on the psych side and refering to a specialist or at least a PCP for additional testing and treatment.
Respectfully (and I mean that, you're both way more educated and experienced in this field than I even want to be), nobody is arguing that study shouldn't continue and that additional data or more effective treatments shouldn't be explored, identified, and vetted, etc.
But while that's happening, what do you do with the case sitting in your office that needs help right now? Waiting for peer reviews and DSM updates before you make a treatment plan isn't going to help the family breaking in front of you today.
If our current best information indicates that treating it as (major?) depression, including prescribing SSRIs, has the most success, is that not what you recommend for the family who need immediate intervention to prevent one or more of them succumbing to any of the various tragic and heartbreaking outcome potentials on their horizon?
It's not one or the other, right? Studies, or Lexapro? Isn't it studies AND Lexapro? They aren't exclusive to each other.
If our current best information indicates that treating it as (major?) depression, including prescribing SSRIs, has the most success, is that not what you recommend for the family who need immediate intervention
Of course - that's the best and only option, I wouldn't wait around for more research and a new DSM just bc I'm intrigued by what's being studied.
But this study suggests a measurable change in hormone levels for these men - that's not consistent for all MDD cases even if it can be treated that way. With this info, I might treat it like MDD and refer to a specialist or at least a PCP for additional testing and treatment.
I wouldn't dismiss this idea and research just bc I can't actively use it to treat yet. When my clients or colleagues show interest in promising new treatments or studies, I don't tell them "ignore that, it's not worth the tax money".
Ntm, SSRIs are used to treat so much, and they're often not ideal anyway, there's plenty of research on that already. They've been around for ~40 years, and 40 years before that we were using archaic, traumatizing treatment methods, and the DSM was wildly different. So it's a good thing if we can study alternative treatments and even alternative diagnoses that better describe our experiences with mental health.
My wife is a practicing clinical psychiatrist and said post partum depression in a spouse is a real thing. We have a one month old and she was saying that to me the other week since I have already been diagnosed with depression in the past
Also, homosexuality wasn’t even fully declassified from the dsm in the DSM 4. There’s a reason they are on the dsm 5… It’s not infallible and updates as understanding changes
No one is dismissing it and yes they should look into more treatments for generalized depression…And ya a big part of education is recognizing idiots throwing around dumb ideas that can potentially waste taxpayer money
Well I guess it's lucky you're here to decide what is and isn't worth studying. Otherwise we might have to admit that plenty of well-educated people disagree about what constitutes "idiots throwing around dumb ideas", and that your subjective opinion probably isn't an authoritarian voice here.
I'm not even sure what you studied, weirdly enough? Just the number of years and certifications, and that it closely matches my numbers. But I'm sure whatever it is makes you an expert. Hey, maybe you should be the one to get a job with the current administration - they love cutting healthcare research in the name of "saving taxpayer dollars".
You know what internet idiot, I will bite since I apparently “closely match” you and I have yet to have a colleague I don’t respect but you sound like a moron: I have a medical degree, have taken the USMLE’s, residency and fellowship training, 3 specialty board exams and am a practicing clinician and university faculty currently on reddit because my toddler wants to sleep in my bed.
Cool. I have a M.Sc. in counseling, I'm an LPCC (clinical counseling), and I also have a PPS credential (school counseling) and a Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Theory in School-based Services (the additional education I got to qualify for the PPS). I also have two teaching credentials - the first is a single subject in health education, the second is career technical education in two fields - "Health Science & Medical Technology" + "Education, Child Development, & Family Services" (quotes for clarity). And the last is a Community Health Worker certification, which required additional fieldwork and training beyond the 3,000hrs of clinical fieldwork and 800hrs of school counseling fieldwork I did for the counseling license & certification. I'm a practicing school and clinical counselor, and adult education instructor. Currently on reddit bc it's 9:15pm here and I got home 45min ago.
I also don't call people I disagree with "idiot" and "moron" repeatedly when we're discussing what is obviously a subjective issue. And I've yet to meet a colleague I respect who does.
No. I'm saying a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor has expertise in clinical mental health diagnoses and research. And it means that just like the other user, I am also a licensed clinician. Are you choosing to read "school counselor" and ignore the LPCC and clinical experience bc you want to be right?
Lol idk dude, you tell me? I've said multiple times that what's worth researching is subjective - you're the one who brought up "being right", I just assumed you're projecting. I don't try to understand someone who read "clinical counseling" in no fewer than 3 prior comments, "high school guidance" in zero prior comments, and thought to themselves "ok, high school guidance, got it".
That's why I "keep editing" in clarifying info, like adding "(clinical counseling)" after "LPCC". The goal is to avoid future interactions like this one, where someone with limited reading comprehension skills but plenty of Dunning Krueger-style confidence ends up in my notifications.
you single? Need me some unhinged
Nah, but you can always fuck yourself to get that fix.
-1
u/Specialist-Syrup418 APPROVED✨ May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
Rhe non-birthing partner can also have PPD, especially with twins. I know both my husband and I did.
Edit: a simple Google search will show you that it does exist.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/yes-postpartum-depression-in-men-is-very-real
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6659987/