Depression in men
Dealing with depression or anxiety is a lot of work and asking for help in such a situation is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength.
There are several reasons why the symptoms of male depression are usually not recognized. For example, men tend to deny having problems because they have to "be strong." And the culture assumes that the expression of emotions is largely a feminine trait. As a result, men who suffer from depression are more likely to talk about the physical symptoms of their depression, such as feeling tired, rather than about the symptoms associated with emotions.
Men generally put off solving health problems, especially when it comes to mental health. They don't tend to discuss their mental health at all and may therefore be very late to get help. If your husband is depressed and you understand this, do your best to help him.
Men are brought up in our country as people who are alien to sentiment, who do not have the right to cry, who all the time owe something to someone, are obliged, are responsible. Such pressure can not but affect the psyche and depression overtakes men, maybe a little less often, but also strongly. Our society expects men to deal with the problem themselves, or to "harden up" and overcome it.
Men can also not admit that he feels a little off, for example, he is vulnerable. He may think that feeling depressed or anxious is a weakness. In fact, these are common health problems, and help exists and is available. Such "rigidity" can be too heavy for your own psyche, as well as for your family and friends.
It is difficult to determine exactly what causes depression or anxiety. These may be different reasons for different people. You may be going through a difficult time, or you may have had a lot of problems over time. Sometimes there is no obvious reason.
Men generally put off solving health problems, especially when it comes to mental health. They don't tend to discuss their mental health at all and may therefore be very late to get help. If your husband is depressed and you understand this, do your best to help him.
Men are brought up in our country as people who are alien to sentiment, who do not have the right to cry, who all the time owe something to someone, are obliged, are responsible. Such pressure can not but affect the psyche and depression overtakes men, maybe a little less often, but also strongly. Our society expects men to deal with the problem themselves, or to "harden up" and overcome it.
Men can also not admit that he feels a little off, for example, he is vulnerable. He may think that feeling depressed or anxious is a weakness. In fact, these are common health problems, and help exists and is available. Such "rigidity" can be too heavy for your own psyche, as well as for your family and friends.
It is difficult to determine exactly what causes depression or anxiety. These may be different reasons for different people. You may be going through a difficult time, or you may have had a lot of problems over time. Sometimes there is no obvious reason.
Some of the common risk factors for men may include:
- Physical injuries;
- Relationships, difficulties, and conflict in relationships;
- Major life changes, such as becoming a dad;
- Problems at work;
- Unemployment, especially if it lasts for a long time;
- Overweight;
Retirement:
- Financial problems;
- No close friends, no one to talk to;
- Divorce;
- Drugs and alcohol.
Depression does affect both sexes. It destroys relationships, interferes with work and daily activities. The symptoms of depression in men are similar to the symptoms of depression in women. But men tend to express these symptoms in different ways.
Common symptoms of depression include loss of interest in normally pleasant activities, fatigue, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and apathy. In women, depression may be more likely to cause feelings of sadness and futility. On the other hand, depression in men can lead to the fact that they will simply be turned off from life or will feel irritability, aggressiveness, hostility.
Depression in men can affect sexual desire and procreation. Unfortunately, some antidepressants and other medications can do the same. Men are often unwilling to acknowledge the problems of their sexuality. Many people mistakenly believe that the problems are related to their masculinity, when in fact they are caused by a medical problem, such as clinical depression.
Men are less likely to show more "typical" signs of depression, such as sadness. Depression in men can cause them to hide their feelings. Instead of expressing a depressive mood, they may appear more irritable and aggressive. For these reasons, many men, as well as doctors and other health professionals, may not recognize the problem as depression. Generally, women who experience depression say that they feel hopeless and helpless. Men are more likely to mention physical signs rather than emotional or psychological ones (such as fatigue or an upset stomach). Men are less likely to think of it as depression, anxiety, or a mental disorder.
Common symptoms of depression include loss of interest in normally pleasant activities, fatigue, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and apathy. In women, depression may be more likely to cause feelings of sadness and futility. On the other hand, depression in men can lead to the fact that they will simply be turned off from life or will feel irritability, aggressiveness, hostility.
Depression in men can affect sexual desire and procreation. Unfortunately, some antidepressants and other medications can do the same. Men are often unwilling to acknowledge the problems of their sexuality. Many people mistakenly believe that the problems are related to their masculinity, when in fact they are caused by a medical problem, such as clinical depression.
Men are less likely to show more "typical" signs of depression, such as sadness. Depression in men can cause them to hide their feelings. Instead of expressing a depressive mood, they may appear more irritable and aggressive. For these reasons, many men, as well as doctors and other health professionals, may not recognize the problem as depression. Generally, women who experience depression say that they feel hopeless and helpless. Men are more likely to mention physical signs rather than emotional or psychological ones (such as fatigue or an upset stomach). Men are less likely to think of it as depression, anxiety, or a mental disorder.
Here are the most common symptoms that help you recognize depression and anxiety.
Symptoms of depression in men:
- You spend a lot of time alone;
- Do not enjoy what you would normally do with pleasure;
- Experience anxiety, moodiness, or irritability;
- You are aggressive, although you have not noticed this before;
- Feeling like you've lost;
- Unexplained headaches, back pain, or other physical pain;
- Stomach problems, nausea, changes in stool;
- Feeling of fear;
- Changes in your sex drive;
- Significant weight loss in the absence of diet or weight gain and changes in appetite;
- Insomnia or hypersomnia almost every day;
- Psychomotor agitation or slowing down almost every day;
- Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day;
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt;
- Impaired ability to think or concentrate, and / or indecision;
- Recurrent thoughts of death, recurring suicidal ideation without a plan, or suicide attempt, or suicide plan.
Depression in men can have devastating consequences. Men are three to four times more likely than women to commit suicide. 80% of all people who commit suicide are men. Although more women try to commit suicide, many more men complete the act, effectively ending their lives. This may be because men tend to use more deadly and violent methods to commit suicide, such as using guns rather than overdosing on pills.
Understanding how boys are raised in our society, how they are encouraged to behave, is especially important for identifying and treating their depression in adulthood. Depression in men can often be linked to cultural expectations. People need to be successful. They must rein in their emotions. They have to control everything and everyone. These cultural expectations may mask some of the true symptoms of depression. Instead, men may express aggression and anger – perceived as more acceptable "tough guy" behavior.
Understanding how boys are raised in our society, how they are encouraged to behave, is especially important for identifying and treating their depression in adulthood. Depression in men can often be linked to cultural expectations. People need to be successful. They must rein in their emotions. They have to control everything and everyone. These cultural expectations may mask some of the true symptoms of depression. Instead, men may express aggression and anger – perceived as more acceptable "tough guy" behavior.