Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Men
Men with depression are less likely to seek treatment, and their symptoms can be harder to recognize than women. This is partly because men are conditioned to be in their emotions and conform to "masculine" norms that can make them less comfortable discussing their feelings.
If you observe a male relative or friend suffering from depression, it's important to urge them to seek treatment. Here are some signs and symptoms of depression for males:
1. Loss of interest
Sudden disappearance of interest in things that usually make you feel happy could be an indication of depression. It could be that you don't enjoy certain activities, you find yourself exhausted frequently or sleep is disrupted.
It's normal for your passions to shift over time. If you are unable to enjoy any type of activity, then it is crucial to seek assistance. Depression can influence your appetite, making it difficult to eat, and may even cause weight loss or an increase.
Men tend to hide emotions more than women, and might not even be aware of the signs of depression. They are also less likely to seek treatment because of the stigma that surrounds it. If you see your male family member or friend showing these signs, it's important to encourage him to visit his GP to get a diagnosis and treatment.
While depression can strike at any age for both genders, it is most common during midlife. This might be due to a combination of factors, including changes in physical or health conditions or life changes, as well as relationships stressors. Men are more likely to repress emotions like sadness, disappointment and grief after experiencing disappointment.
In the end, they may deal with these feelings by drinking excessively, abusing drugs or gambling compulsively. This can lead to physical issues like back pain, headaches and digestive issues, and emotional ones such as irritability and anger. It can also result in reckless behavior, such as engaging in dangerous sports or driving recklessly. It is also typical for males to become aggressive or abusive in order to hide or dealing with their feelings. This is known as toxic masculinity, and can be a warning indication of depression.
2. It is difficult to concentrate
If you're seeing that someone in your life is struggling to concentrate or is easily distracted, it could be indicative of depression. In addition to causing difficulty in learning and remembering things, depression can also affect how people interact with one another and, as a result, they might be less able to communicate in a healthy manner or to be attentive to the needs of others.
Men are often more hesitant to seek help for depression than women, and this may be due to a variety of factors. The expectation that men should be able control their emotions, for instance could lead them to hide depression symptoms by acting out or using alcohol and drugs as unhealthy ways to deal with. It is also normal for men to feel uneasy discussing their feelings which can further contribute to a delay in treatment.
Despite the fact that men's depression symptoms are different than women's, both types are treated similarly by psychologists and other mental health professionals. However as awareness of the different depression symptoms for men grows, more and more psychologists are segregating their research and treatment efforts to take into account gender-specific symptoms.
For example, men's heightened likelihood of developing post-traumatic depression (such as injuries, illness or loss of a loved one or even combat) may require special attention and more intensive care than women who suffer from the same kind of trauma. And, because men are more likely to experience physical traumas, they're more at risk for depression in response to those events.
If you are concerned that a person close to him or her is suffering from depression, should encourage them to seek out professional help. It's important to remember that the longer depression goes untreated, the more severe it could get.
3. Anxiety
People who suffer from depression may also experience anxiety. They may be unable to control emotions and believe that something is wrong with them. It is usually a sign that they are thinking about suicide. It is crucial to seek immediate help if someone you know is experiencing this. This can be done by calling 911 or the emergency number in your area, or by texting TALK (TALK) to 741741 to connect with the crisis counselor.
Although everyone is susceptible to anxiety from time the other, it is essential to seek assistance when your symptoms become persistent and are affecting your daily routine. A doctor will be able to prescribe medication or other treatments to help manage your symptoms.
People may find it difficult to identify depression in men due to the signs and symptoms differ from the women who experience it. For example women can express sadness and feelings of despair and men might become angry or angry. In addition, men are more likely to turn to alcohol and drugs as a way of dealing with their depression than women. This is because men often try to mask their depression by adhering to gender stereotypes.
It is important that people recognize the symptoms of depression in men, so that they can seek help. Although recent discussions about mental health are more open and inclusive than ever before, it's difficult for many men to discuss their feelings in a culture which promotes traditional beliefs about masculinity. This makes men less likely to seek help, which is why primary care physicians only treat depression in males approximately half as often as in females.
4. Feelings of hopelessness
The men may feel helpless in the event that they aren't sure how to improve and they don't ask for help. This is a common coping strategy however it can be damaging in the long run. The longer a person goes without treatment, his symptoms will become more severe. Depression can affect all aspects of a person's life including relationships, work, and health.
Men who feel depressed are more likely to engage in suicidal thoughts or behavior. If you have someone in your family who is struggling with these thoughts, try talking with him in a judgment-free environment and offer support. You can also encourage him or her to seek help from an expert in mental health or any other reliable source. You could also refer him to a men's group or contact the suicide crisis hotline.
In general, it is easier for women to open to emotional issues than men, which could be why depression in males is underdiagnosed. Some men think that seeking help for mental health isn't "manly." Others worry that they might be treated differently by colleagues or close friends if they do.
Apart from depression body symptoms depressed, those who suffer from depression may also suffer from physical symptoms like headaches, pains and aches or digestive issues. These symptoms could be a sign of depression or a sign of another health issue, such as heart disease or diabetes. Talk to your doctor if the symptoms persist. He may suggest medications, counseling or other treatments to ease symptoms and help treat depression. Some of these treatments include electroconvulsive therapies (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation. He can also suggest lifestyle changes such as sleep changes, exercise and healthy eating habits.
5. Anger
A man who is easily angry or irritable may be suffering from depression. This can be seen in various ways from road rage to anger-filled outbursts at work or home. Men with depression may have difficulty regulating anger and agitation. This could lead to addiction or family issues, as well as the inability to perform the daily tasks.
While depression can affect any age group, male depression peaks in mid-life due to a number of factors such as physical and health changes, relationship stresses and challenges in the workplace. Men are also affected by traumatic events like combat in the military, childhood trauma or a natural disaster.
Men with depression have an internalized worldview, which can lead to an inability to feel empathy for others as well as increased aggression and anger. This can also affect sexual relationships, with men who are depressed frequently revealing diminished libido, or feelings of discontent with their sex lives.
Researchers have found that there is a lot of variation between men's ways to experience depression and anger. In fact, one study revealed that latent classes were formed that distinguished men based on their depressive levels internalized symptoms and externalized anger.
People who suffer from depression can benefit by finding the negative thoughts patterns that fuel their anger, and then re-examining them. By challenging and looking at these negative beliefs, men can learn to take ownership of their own actions and behaviors, instead of feeling helpless and pity by others. This can also help to reduce depression symptoms by allowing a man to gain a more balanced view of the world. Talk therapy is a great way to begin this process, with experts recommending that even the most sceptical men can feel an inner peace by expressing their emotions to a therapist.