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Daddy Issues in Men

Daddy Issues in Men

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Yes, daddy issues in men can arise too, as women are not the only ones who can suffer from daddy issues, and these issues can present themselves due to reasons like absentee, abusive, or emotionally unavailable fathers. We are here to discuss how people having distant relationships with their fathers or no relationship at all can contribute to developing what people call ‘daddy issues’ (Behere et al., 2017).  While people use this term often, ‘daddy issues’ are not an official mental health diagnosis. In this article, we’ll delve into the psychology of the term ‘daddy issues, ’ all the while we also discuss signs of daddy issues in a man.

Can Men Have Daddy Issues?

Children who tend to have troubled relationships with their father, or even their closest father figure, will also have trouble attaching themselves to others in their life during the entire adulthood. Men tend to develop an insecure attachment style when their fathers are neglectful towards them (Kim et al., 2021). This is because unhealthy parent-child relationships tend to instill mistrust and uncertainty that lead to daddy issues later in life. Therapists and leading experts are not very fond of the word ‘daddy issues’ because they believe that children should not be blamed for the sins of their father. Having close relationships with a father figure won’t lead to you having daddy issues as a man, as this term refers more so to exceptionally close relationships that are unhealthy or potentially harmful to one’s mental health, which can be avoided if child and adolescent psychiatry is taken on time. Let’s discuss the literal causes of how men can have daddy issues in the following section.

Read More: Child Psychiatrist – A Guide For Parents & Guardians

What Causes Someone to Develop Daddy Issues?

The potential factors that play a role in the development of daddy issues in men are as follows:

Unhealthy Relationship With Father

While having a father figure is a blessing, daddy issues in men often develop when a father and the son share a close bond that is unhealthy. While it can happen due to the father favoring one son over other siblings because he sees himself in him or just plainly spoiling him, this can also happen due to the father looking at the child as a romantic partner or a date. For a young child, this type of unhealthy close bond can lead to mental, emotional, and sexual abuse, often leading the child into issues like mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or male daddy issues.

Absentee Father

An absentee father is the kind of father who is never around, whether emotionally or physically, but in the end, they are never around. This could be because the father worked a lot, left the family, or couldn’t be counted on due to a drug or alcohol problem. Due to this, the affected children try to fill that void, as someone might constantly need attention and validation from older men to fill the father role. They usually start out by seeking this older male’s approval, advice, or company to compensate for the lack of physical and emotional closeness that they missed out on due to their daddy issues. And just like that, guys with daddy issues come into existence.

Abuse

Any kind of abuse, be it sexual, physical, or emotional, tends to be scarring for the child who is experiencing it. Young children are essentially vulnerable and look up to their parental figures. They also trust their parents to set up a boundary that shouldn’t ever be crossed, but sometimes it is. Usually, the culprit is a stepparent or another father figure, but a biological father can also be at fault.

Abuse of any kind can be scarring enough to have anyone at an increased risk of mental problems such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sometimes even leading them to suicidal ideation (Ullman et al., 2014; Yoon et al., 2018). Victims often blame themselves for what took place and are targets of childhood trauma, neglect, while sexual abuse can also cause them to feel shame.

Read More: The Hidden Mental Scars of Childhood Trauma in Adults

Signs of Daddy Issues in a Man

There are many signs of daddy issues in a man that can be presented as telltale signs to see if the issues are indeed there.

Being Territorial

When children are not raised in a consistently loving environment, they turn out to be territorial and jealous freaks. Due to these reasons, they are unable to sustain meaningful lives in their adulthood (Rodriguez et al., 2015). They may get anxious over the little things.

Abandonment Fears

Daddy issues in men often lead to guys jumping from one relationship to another because they are afraid to be alone. They may also inadvertently drive their partners away if they constantly need reassurance or if they consistently question their partner’s love for them.

Toxic Patterns

Daddy issues in men also lead to them duplicating relationships they have with people. These relationships tend to be predominantly toxic. They are so hardwired to it that they go out looking for toxic relationships.

Reassurance Addicts

Male daddy issues also relate to something that is deeply rooted in abandonment fears described above. This fear often takes the form of requiring constant affection, constant attention, or constant approval due to the now-grown man having an insatiable need to receive love.

Read More: ADHD vs Bipolar Disorder: Comparing The Two Conditions

Treating And Dealing With Daddy Issues in Men

The importance of fathers being involved in their families should not be underestimated. Prevention is better than cure, so if a father is involved with his children, both physically and emotionally, then there is a good chance his offspring will turn out fine. Some studies have found fewer behavioral problems in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who spent a higher quantity of time with their fathers (Climie et al., 2015).

But if you or someone you know went through daddy issues of their own, you can go for treatment such as psychotherapy or psychiatric medication management to deal with the problems that erupted due to those daddy issues.

Wrapping Up!

Now you know the answer to a question like, “What is daddy issues for a guy?’, and in addition to that, you have symptoms of daddy issues in men. If the usual treatment method doesn’t work for you, then you can go for telepsychiatry at Orange Coast Psychiatry.

Frequently Asked Questions

The theory suggests that a child forms a strong attachment with a parent of the opposite sex and has feelings of competition toward their same-sex parent. 

It can stem from an absent, neglectful, or challenging relationship with one’s father can potentially impact relationships.

Mommy issues may involve struggles with emotional intimacy, trust, and dependency, which may often come from overprotective or distant mothers, while daddy issues often relate to authority, self-esteem, and identity, typically from strained relationships with fathers.

Reference and Footnotes
  1. Behere AP, Basnet P, Campbell P. Effects of family structure on mental health of children: A preliminary study. Indian J Psychol Med. 2017;39(4):457-463. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.211767
  2. Kim SH, Baek M, Park S. Association of parent-child experiences with insecure attachment in adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Fam Theory Rev. 2021;13(1):58-76. doi:10.1111/jftr.12402
  3. Ullman SE, Peter-Hagene Lc, Relyea M. Coping, emotion regulation, and self-blame as mediators of sexual abuse and psychological symptoms in adult sexual assault. J Child Sex Abuse. 2014;23(1):74-93. doi:10.1080/10538712.2014.864747
  4. Yoon S, Bellamy JL, Kim W, Yoon D. Father involvement and behavior problems among preadolescents at risk of maltreatment. J Child Fam Stud. 2018;27(2):494-504. doi:10.1007/s10826-017-0890-6
  5. Rodriguez LM, DiBello AM, Øverup CS, Neighbors C. The price of distrust: Trust, anxious attachment, jealousy, and partner abuse. Partner Abuse. 2015;6(3):298-319. doi:10.1891/1946-6560.6.3.298
  6. Climie EA, Mitchell K. Parent-child relationship and behavior problems in children with ADHD. Int J Development Disabil. 2017;63(1):27-35. doi:10.1080/20473869.2015.1112498

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Daddy Issues in Men

Yes, daddy issues in men can arise too, as women are not the only ones who can suffer from daddy issues, and these issues can present themselves due to reasons like absentee, abusive, or emotionally unavailable fathers. We are here to discuss how people having distant relationships with their fathers

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Jackson Tea

MSN, PMHNP-BC

Administrative Director and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Jackson Tea, MSN, PMHNP-BC, serves as the Administrative Director and a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) at Orange Coast Psychiatry. Dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, Jackson is passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers individuals to take charge of their mental well-being. His expertise includes comprehensive psychiatric assessments, personalized medication management, and behavioral health interventions designed to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes in their mental health journey.
Jackson’s approach to care is rooted in the belief that mental health is just as vital as physical health. He focuses on creating a supportive, judgment-free environment where patients feel heard, valued, and understood. By offering individualized treatment plans tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals, Jackson helps clients overcome obstacles such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and other mental health challenges.
He holds a Post-Master’s Certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from National University, a Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University, Los Angeles, where he earned Dean’s List honors. As a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, Jackson remains committed to advancing mental health awareness and promoting high standards of care in the field.
In his role at Orange Coast Psychiatry, Jackson leads clinical operations while ensuring regulatory compliance and delivering high-quality care. His core competencies include psychiatric assessment, evidence-based interventions, crisis management, clinical leadership, and risk mitigation. Above all, Jackson strives to make mental health care accessible and effective for everyone, supporting individuals in making meaningful progress, improving their quality of life, and achieving lasting well-being.

May Faustino

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

May Faustino, PMHNP-BC, is a compassionate and highly skilled psychiatric provider with over four years of nursing experience, including three years specializing in psychiatric care. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from West Coast University, where she received extensive training in managing the psychiatric needs of pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations, as well as providing therapy and counseling services.
May has worked in diverse mental health settings, including forensic psychiatry at the Department of State Hospitals and behavioral health services at Aliso Ridge Behavioral Health. Her clinical expertise spans psychiatric assessments, medication management, and trauma-informed care, with a strong focus on treating anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders.
Bilingual in English and Tagalog, May is dedicated to serving diverse patient populations with a culturally sensitive approach. She is trained in evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing and is well-versed in trauma-informed care and suicide prevention strategies.
May is passionate about promoting resilience and recovery through preventive mental health care and individualized, holistic treatment plans. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in her memberships in the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
In her personal time, May enjoys fostering mindfulness and well-being through activities she loves, such as spending time with her husband and their two beloved cats, Pippy and Eva.

Dr. Montgomery

M.D. – Psychiatrist

Dr. Torri Montgomery, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with a subspecialty board certification in forensic psychiatry. Dr. Montgomery is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Montgomery earned her Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) from Arizona State University and her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from The University of Arizona, College of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. During her psychiatry residency, Dr. Montgomery completed a year-long certification in Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT), earned a certificate from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe medication for the treatment of substance use disorders, and worked in a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinic for substance use disorders. Additionally, she was appointed Chief Resident and received an Excellence in Teaching award.
After psychiatry residency, she completed her Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. After completing her fellowship, Dr. Montgomery has worked in public psychiatry for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. She teaches, consults, and treats individuals with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, and serious mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorders. Her experience includes outpatient, inpatient, emergency, consult liaison, addiction, dual-diagnosis, and forensic psychiatry. She is an expert evaluator on the Superior Court of California Panel of Expert Psychiatrists and Psychologists. Dr. Montgomery is an attending physician for the Harbor-UCLA Department of Psychiatry and serves as a psychiatrist with Orange Coast psychiatry.

Dr. Ravi

M.D. – Psychiatrist

Dr. Dave Ravi, M.D., is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with additional qualifications in geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Ravi is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Ravi graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (B.S., Magna Cum Laude), VCU School of Medicine (M.D.), Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (Residency in Psychiatry), and John. A. Burns School of Medicine (Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry). He currently is a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu, HI and serves as a psychiatrist with Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Ravi is a dedicated community psychiatrist with extensive experience in public, correctional, inpatient and outpatient settings, and an experienced tele-psychiatrist. He consults on topics in general psychiatry, including quality improvement, treatment planning, and crisis management, and in correctional psychiatry, including recovery-oriented treatment for individuals with serious mental illness and dual diagnosis. His current and future interests focus on understanding the various approaches in managing the suffering and disturbance of complex psychiatric disorders, particularly in the use, misuse, overuse, and misrepresentation of psychotropic medications.

Dr. Irwin

M.D. , Ph.D – Psychiatrist

Dr. Scott Irwin, M.D., Ph.D., is Board Certified Psychiatrist. Dr. Irwin is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
His career mostly focuses on improving outcomes for those with cancer or other progressive, potentially life-limiting illnesses, and their families, through leading-edge clinical services, ongoing research, as well as program development, improvement, and implementation.
He is widely published, has been recognized at many levels for his research, teaching, consulting, and clinical endeavors, and has received research funding from the NCI, NIMH, the National Palliative Care Research Center, the Archstone Foundation, and industry.
Dr. Irwin earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and both his MD and PhD (neuroscience) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He successfully completed his psychiatry residency at UC San Diego as chief resident of Outpatient Psychiatric Services, as well as a two-year elective in hospice and palliative care at San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with subspecialty certification in psychosomatic medicine.

Richard Samedra.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Richard Samedra, PMHNP-BC, is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He brings over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, working with clients facing a wide range of acute and chronic mental health conditions. His journey began as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and Charge Nurse at Westminster Therapeutic Residential Treatment, where he supported clients dealing with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. Richard’s dedication was centered on helping these individuals improve their mental health and transition to a lower level of care, whether that meant returning to their families, a board and care facility, or a sober-living environment.
Motivated by a growing passion for mental health care, Richard pursued his Registered Nurse (RN) education at Saddleback Community College and later transitioned to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital Behavioral Health. In this role, he specialized in geriatric psychiatry, working with older adults experiencing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety. This experience solidified his commitment to mental health, leading him to work at Bellflower Community Hospital, where he provided care for patients experiencing severe psychiatric crises, including suicidal ideation, manic and depressive episodes, substance use disorders, and exacerbated schizophrenia symptoms.
Inspired by the impactful work of PMHNPs at Bellflower, Richard enrolled in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Azusa Pacific University. To broaden his expertise, he worked full-time at College Hospital Costa Mesa while completing his studies. There, he gained comprehensive experience across various units, including adolescent, acute men’s and women’s, stabilization, and detox/med-surg. Now, as a PMHNP, Richard is committed to leveraging his diverse background and knowledge to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to those in need.
Richard currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where he is supervised by Dr. Montgomery.

Shaheena Gazipura

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Shaheena Gazipura is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 9 years of dedicated experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.
Shaheena began her career working on an adult psychiatric inpatient unit before transitioning to the geriatric psychiatric inpatient unit at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. In addition to her clinical work, Shaheena also serves as a Nursing Clinical Instructor, guiding the next generation of nurses through their mental health rotations at a large community college.
Shaheena is a passionate advocate for mental health, believing that it is a fundamental pillar of overall well-being. She is committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and strives to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that honors each individual’s unique experiences and challenges. Her goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel empowered to work alongside her in achieving their mental health goals.
Outside of her professional life, Shaheena enjoys exploring new culinary experiences, staying active through exercise, and planning her next travel adventures.
Shaheena currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Clint Nacar

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner -BC

Clint Nacar, PMHNP-BC is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Nacar graduated from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Currently Mr. Nacar works in an inpatient psychiatry unit at a leading academic medical center in Los Angeles, Renewed Mental Health Group, and Orange Coast Psychiatry
Mr. Nacar brings over 7+ years of experience with the mental health population. He works to help patients take control of their mental health through patient education, psychotherapy and medication management. Mr. Nacar’s areas of focus include: Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, Bipolar disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mr. Nacar treats children ages 6+, adolescents, and adults, offering both in-person services and telehealth at Renewed Mental Health Group.
With the collaboration of each patient, Mr. Nacar strives to develop individualized plans of care addressing each patient’s unique situation and concerns. He also encourages each patient to take charge of their mental health through a holistic approach while also employing the latest evidence based practices in treatment.

Clint is one of our most experienced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is 103NP Licensed in the State of California.

Cristian Cuevas

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

Cristian Cuevas, PMHNP-BC, is a highly skilled board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over seven years of experience in inpatient psychiatry and mental health.
A California State University Long Beach graduate, Cristian also earned recognition as a board-certified psychiatric mental health registered nurse. With a wealth of expertise in adult psychiatric care across the lifespan, Cristian has successfully diagnosed and treated a diverse range of mental health disorders.
Additionally, his specialized experience in child and adolescent inpatient populations further enhances his ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate mental health care.
Cristian Cuevas is the Lead Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is supervised by Dr Barrios.

Mina Cheriki

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Mina Cheriki is a masters-prepared Registered Nurse (RN), certified Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), and a board-certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). She brings nearly a decade of experience within the healthcare industry, particularly within the fields of nursing, mental-health, education, research, and leadership. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, followed by a Master of Science degree in Nursing at The Ohio State University.
Rooted in the highest quality of evidence-based practice and informed by a holistic, collaborative, person-centered approach, Mina’s clinical skillset encompasses psychiatric assessments, medication management, psychotherapy, and education. Her clinical focus covers symptoms and conditions related to depression, anxiety, panic, mood imbalances, attention/concentration deficits and hyperactivity, executive dysfunction, life transitions, acute stress, grief, trauma, and more. Additionally, Mina has experience in providing ketamine-assisted therapies and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for mental health.
Coming from a family of immigrants, Mina is familiar with providing culturally-, religiously-, and spiritually sensitive care while also maintaining efforts in delivering highly therapeutic communications. Furthermore, she continues her commitment in providing evidence-driven care and in upholding standards of quality by remaining active in organizations such as the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Above all, Mina is committed to empowering her clients throughout their journeys toward recovery and well-mindedness. More specifically, she uses her combined knowledge and passions for physical and mental health to assist her clients toward achieving a lasting balance between the mind, body, and spirit.
Aside from her dedication to providing mental health care, Mina also enjoys exploring nature and hiking, making photography and art, as well as spending quality time with friends, family, and her dog, Kona.

Dr Barrios

Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Carlos Barrios is a Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over two decades of experience in mental health care. His expertise in telepsychiatry has allowed him to serve patients across California and beyond. In his practice, Dr Barrios integrates metabolic and functional methodologies, focusing on guiding patients toward medication independence and emphasizing the connection between physical and mental health.
Outside of his professional life, Dr Barrios is passionate about kettlebell training, which helps him maintain my physical and mental wellness. He cherishes visiting his family in Guatemala, to reconnecting with his cultural roots and rejuvenating his spirit. Dr Barrios is also deeply involved in transcendental meditation and rucking, practices that not only provide him with tranquility but also keep him grounded and connected to nature. These hobbies reflect his commitment to a holistic approach to health, both personally and professionally.