It was supposed to be the happiest time of their lives, when their baby was born, but Alex and Elizabeth Bambridge didn't bargain on the blues.

Elizabeth Bambridge says "it's kinda that picture perfect idea where you're going to have the baby room perfect, and the baby is fine, and it didn't happen that way."

Elizabeth got a severe case of postpartum depression and Alex found himself battling his own emotions.

Alex Bambridge says "just this cloud of stress, anxiety, and then coupled with numbness, it's as if I couldn't shut down my brain to think straight."

He's not alone. Up to 10% of new fathers develop depression after a baby is born: irritability, anger, feelings of isolation.

And this could happen up to a year after the baby is born.

Therapist Viviana Schilpp says "taking the role as the provider is a very big deal once you've had a child and the father may need to assume all the responsibilities. He may still have to return to work, but feed the baby at night and take care of his wife."

A friend suggested Alex get some help. He overcame his initial resistance and went to a postpartum depression program. He got counseling and relief.

Alex says "when I spoke I was talking for me, what I was thinking, feeling, or not feeling or thinking. So I found it very helpful and easier than I expected." Viviana says "and with help they can start to understand really what's going on, and what they can do about it, so they feel more in control of their lives."