Good Inside with Dr. Becky When Depression Doesn't Look Like Depression
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Aug 4, 2026 
Christopher G. Choukalas, an ICU physician and author who recovered from paternal postpartum depression. He recounts chaotic early parenthood with twins, hidden symptoms like anger, panic, risk-taking, and emotional numbness. The conversation traces how these signs were missed, the moment of recognition, and the path to therapy and renewed connection.
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Traumatic Twin Birth And Sudden Emergency
- Christopher G. Choukalas described his daughters' delivery where his wife had uterine atony and massive transfusion protocols were called.
- He realized mid-C-section he needed to hand the twins to staff and step out because he couldn't help amid the emergency.
Obsessive Sleep Precision Consumed Family Joy
- He turned sleep into a hyper-controlled mission, timing feedings and outings to squeeze naps into a rigid schedule.
- That precision robbed joy and created repeated conflict with Lindsay, who preferred more flexibility.
Depression Can Look Like Anger Not Sadness
- Postpartum depression in fathers may show as anger, irritability, risk taking, and drug seeking rather than classic sadness.
- Christopher's wife Googled paternal postpartum symptoms and found a list that matched his behavior, reframing the problem for him.