Understanding the Issue behind Depression in Men
Depression is a serious mental disorder that can pathetically affect anyone’s day to day life. But, mostly depressed men ignore this condition and refuse treatment. Learn the symptoms of depression in men and how to deal with this mental illness.
What Does Depression Feel Like?
Do you used to say no when your loved ones ask you to join them? Do you spend more of the day at work than usual? Do you force yourself to be busy and avoid normal activities that you enjoy? Do you eat or drink a lot? Do you get frustrated and trouble controlling yourself from shouting unexpectedly?
All these unhealthy habits are clues of your coping behavior against male depression. As you know depression is complex to diagnose and varies widely among people based on the reason and situation behind. But, if we talk about male vs female depression—female depression can be marked by sadness and tearfulness, while male depression mostly stays hidden by these unhealthy coping behaviors. This leads them to being affected seriously and remain untreated.
Depression can also occur with other underlying mental disorders or chronic illness like cancer, diabetes, chronic inflammation, and heart related disease. Untreated depression can worsen these medical problems and vice versa.
According to one global study, it’s believed that the rate of major depressive disorder in women is twice as in men. Men are less likely to get this mental illness as compared to women, but their distress and impairment can’t be overlooked.
So, continue reading this simple guide, addressing the various psychological and physical symptoms of depression in men and learn what to do for effective treatment and when they need immediate attention.
Symptoms of Depression in Men
Many men mask depression through their negative behavior, physical complaints, or withdrawal. Thus, their signs of depression are difficult to recognize. Here are 23 symptoms of depression in men categorized psychologically, physically, and severe depression.
Psychological Symptoms
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or emotional numbness: Some men don’t feel actively sad but instead feel emotionally flat or dismotivated.
- Hopelessness, worthlessness, or a negative outlook: Some men with depression develop a deeply pessimistic view of themselves and the future, even without such evidence that supports these thoughts. They might believe they are a failure, worthless, or a burden on the family
- Irritability, anger, or sudden frustration: About 30% to 40% of men with depression experience a short temper and might show unexpected frustration. Feeling irritably is a common sign of general depression, but in men it often looks different from our imaginations. Instead of appearing sad, they may show sudden anger or act aggressively to others even without any certain reason.
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed: Men may lose their interest in their everyday favourite activities including hobbies, sports, socializing, or even sex may no longer bring pleasure. Sometimes they may engage in these activities but with lack of emotion and interest.
- Difficulty concentrating or zoning out: Depression can cause ‘mental fog’ a state of reduced mental clarity. It involves lack of focus, forget details, delayed reaction, and trouble in making some sort of decisions.
- Anxiety or constant inner tension: Anxiety is also a mental disorder and often overlaps with depression. It causes men to feel a constant sense of pressure, nervous energy, or unease, even when nothing specifically seems wrong.
- Restlessness or feeling on edge: You may feel restless or tired even after a long sleep. Even though, with these symptoms you may feel trouble sleeping.
- Social withdrawal and isolation: Men may pull themselves away from their loved ones including friends and family. It’s probably just because they feel exhausted or emotionally overwhelmed.
- Escapist behavior: As a coping behavior, men may try to find ways to avoid uncomfortable emotions. They start spending more hours at work, gaming, and watching TV just to isolate themselves from others.
- Mood swings or emotional instability: Rapid shifts between irritability, numbness, and emotional outbursts may occur in depressed persons. Reacting like this, often confusing both the individual and those around them.
- Controlling, aggressive, or abusive behavior: In some cases, the struggle to suppress emotional pain can come out as controlling or hostile behavior.
Physical Symptoms
- Sleep disturbances: Depressed people may struggle to fall asleep even when feeling tired, wake frequently during the night, or sleep excessively without feeling rested. This poor or irregular sleep can worsen their condition.
- Chronic fatigue and low energy: Persistent exhaustion is common, even without physical exertion. Everyday tasks may feel disproportionately draining.
- Headaches and unexplained body pain: Depression often manifests physically, such as ongoing headaches, muscular tension, or joint pain without a clear medical cause.
- Digestive issues or stomach discomfort: Stomach pain, nausea, cramps, or changes in digestion can be linked to prolonged stress and depression.
- Chest tightness or racing heart: These symptoms may be mistaken for heart problems but are often related to anxiety and depressive stress responses.
- Changes in appetite or weight: Some men eat emotionally without any hunger and gain weight, while some eat less than usual, leading to noticeable weight loss.
- Sexual dysfunction: Reduced libido, difficulty with arousal, erectile dysfunction, or delayed orgasms can occur. These symptoms can be warning signs to self-esteem and relationships.
Major Depression Symptoms (Warning Signs)
Depressed men with these symptoms need immediate attention and proper engagement with mental health professionals, psychiatrists, and therapists to calm their depression.
- Substance use or self-medication: Some men start drinking alcohol excessively or take drugs as a healing remedy for emotional pain. Later these coping starts become dependencies, and harm the symptoms, health, relationships, and quality of life.
- High-risk or reckless behavior: Risk-taking behaviors such as operating a vehicle in reckless manners, starting gambling and spending savings at casinos, or impulsive decisions may increase.
- Inability to keep up with responsibilities: In severe conditions, a man may start stepping back from taking family responsibilities, act careless about work, finances, and personal hygiene.
- Severe withdrawal from life: Men may emotionally shut down completely, avoiding communication with others, disengaging from daily life, and tempt to remain silent and alone.
- Suicidal thoughts, threats, or attempts: Suicidal thoughts should never be ignored and require immediate attention, even if expressed casually or indirectly.
Major Risk Factors for Depression in Adult Men
Some men with this complex mental disorder are at higher risk than others. The following major risk factors indicate those victims:
- Family History and Biology: It has been noted that depression is more common in blood relatives. The men who get depression in their bloodline, they are more likely sensitive to stress.
- Chronic Health Conditions: Ongoing chronic illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, chronic inflammation, and heart related disease can also lead to a ‘functional’ depression.
- Medication Side Effects: Many common prescriptions—especially for blood pressure, hair loss, or stomach issues—have listed depression as potential side effects.
- Major Life Stressors: Men tend to get more depressed than women due to certain shocking events such as loss of job, status, divorce, or death of loved ones.
- Past Trauma and Childhood Abuse: Growing up in a chaotic or abusive home, consequently leaves you more vulnerable to deep depression.
Male Depression Treatment Options & Healthy Coping Techniques
Depression is a treatable condition, and there is always room for hope. The treatment plan will depend on the severity of the symptoms of depression. Most recovery plans involve a mix of lifestyle changes, professional talk therapy, or medication.
Lifestyle and Behavioral Changes
- Professional Counseling: Many healthcare providers offer in person or online counseling. These counseling help you break the cycle of negative thoughts by talking with mental health specialists.
- Nutritious Diet: Drinking and Eating well is crucial for your brain as it’s important for your whole body. It can noticeably help you to regulate your mood.
- Exercise: Engaging in physical activity helps “burn off” stress chemicals and releases natural feel-good hormones.
- Sleep Hygiene: Sticking to a regular sleep routine helps your brain recover.
Common Medications for Depression
In some cases, especially for those with major depressive episodes, doctors may prescribe antidepressants to help balance the brain chemistry. These medication include:
- SSRIs (like Zoloft or Prozac): These are common for managing mood and anxiety.
- SNRIs (like Cymbalta): These help with both mood and energy levels.
- Atypical Antidepressants: Options like Bupropion are often used if other meds cause too many side effects.
Treatment for Severe or Resistant Depression
About 30% of men don’t get relief from standard treatment options. For those these are advanced options available, such as:
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): This uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the parts of the brain that control mood.
- Brain Stimulation (like ECT): This modern treatment option is used for very severe cases to “reset” brain activity under medical supervision.
A Note From Health Conscious
Depression in men is a serious mental condition that can’t be overlooked. Through this guide, you can learn about signs of depression in men including major depressive disorder symptoms to identify yourself or someone depressed individual you may know. But the purpose of this guide is just providing valuable information. Do not consider our information to treat your condition by yourself. Always prefer to see your healthcare expert or get an appointment with a mental health professional, psychiatrist, or therapist. They will prescribe medication, or may recommend counseling or effective therapies for better recovery.