Identifying and Understanding
Depression in Men
Depression in men is hard to diagnose because men won't talk
about it. Learn how to identify the signs of depression in men.
Learn how to identify the signs of depression in men.
Learn how poor sleep and sudden irritability can be a sign of something serious and what the other signs of depression in men look like.
Statistics show that depression in men is hard to diagnose because they are less likely to talk about their feelings, largely due to culture. If you are suffering from any of theses symptoms:
- Acute tiredness
- Poor sleep
- Increased irritability and anger
- Loss of interest in work
Understanding depression in men is a difficult task because of how society's norms affect how men react to stressors. Men are not expected to cry or complain, they are suppose to 'tough it out'.
Therefore some obvious signs such as crying and talking about being sad are generally absent.
Researchers indicates that some of the causes of depression in men stem from:
- A break-up, especially of a long-term relationship
- Changes at work, such as losing an expected promotion
- Death of a child, spouse or parents
- Unresolved childhood issues (death, divorce and abuse)
Unlike women, depression in men is also difficult to treat because men tend to bury themselves in work while women will seek help.
Some will turn to drugs or alcohol or both to help them to cope. Still others turn to reckless activities such as sleeping around or take up other high-risk activities.
Men are also more likely to deny that they are depressed.
Treatment options for men who are depressed include counseling, depression medication and support groups. All of these can be very successful in helping depressed men acknowledge their illness and get back their life.
Men who are depressed are more generally more successful at committing suicide than females.
As such it is vital that a strong support system exists to help them overcome their depression. It is also good that we help them to realize that there is life after depression.
Depression in men is nothing to be ashamed of; an approximate six million men in America are believed to have some sort of depressive episode each year.