Depression in Men

In the past, depression was generally attributed to women, as people had this misconception that women were mentally weaker than men, thus putting them at a higher risk of depression. That belief was proven to be completely false and unfounded over the years, and it is a fact that depression in men is extremely common as well. Depression is not a gender specific mental health disorder; it effects thousands of women and men yearly.

The major issue that arises when there is a misconception such as the one that women are the ones who primarily suffer from depression is that men are increasingly wary and reluctant to seek professional help. They fear that they will appear weak and feminine if they come forward and admit they are suffering from a condition that is mislabeled as primarily a disorder among women. Men generally have the mentality that they must appear “macho”. Nonetheless, over the last decade, there has been a movement where more and more people are beginning to realize that depression effects men just as much as it effects women.

This notion is definitely not new, and one that is going to take lots of time to overcome in America, and other countries as well. Through the media, young boys grow up with the idea that only women have emotions, and a man who shows emotions is not really a “man”. With these sorts of messages being passed down to men, it is easy to see why depression in men is often very difficult to diagnose.

Signs of Depression in Men

Due to the fact that men want to appear “macho and strong”, it is often difficult to recognize the signs of depression in men. In some cases, even medical professionals have a difficult time diagnosing men as being clinically depressed because they do not exhibit the same symptoms that women do. Women show the more common signs of depression, whereas men may keep their emotions bottled in, causing them to lash out at times.

Causes of Depression in Men

Unfortunately, depression can be extremely devastating for men. Recent studies have shown that men are five times more likely to commit suicide than women are. More than three quarters of those who commit suicide in the United States are in fact men, where as only about 20% are women. This is an alarming figure, especially when there still looms the misconception that men cannot be depressed. Quite frankly, depression is very common, and a major problem when combined with the misconceptions of depression. Statistics also show that far more women than men attempt suicide, but many of their attempts are unsuccessful, whereas men often utilize more deadly methods (through the use of weapons).

Depression in Men Over 50

Although depression is not directly related to old age, many men suffer from depression as they grow older. As men grow older, they are at increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and other diseases that when discovered, can cause enormous amounts of stress. In many cases, this stress becomes unbearable, and can lead to depression. Depression in men over 50 is also onset due to the fact that once they have retired from their career, it is difficult to cope with their new lifestyle. Why? Well, they are simply not used to having such an empty schedule.

Treating Depression in Men

Treating depression in men is generally the same as treating any other individual that is suffering from depression. The most common treatment methods include antidepressant medications or psychotherapy. Only a medical professional will be able to determine the best treatment method.

If you know a male that may be suffering from depression, it is important that you seek help for them. As outlined above, it is often difficult for men to admit they are suffering from depression, unless someone takes a stand and gets them the help of a mental health professional.