According to the World Health Organization, Depression is a global epidemic and nearly 5% of the world’s population suffers from this condition. In North America, 9% of the population is said to suffer from depression, of which nearly 6 million are men. Although women are more prone to depression than men, men are four times more likely to commit suicide from depression, than women.
(Sources: EverydayHealth, CDC, NIMH and Healthline)
Unlike women who freely admit feelings of depression and seek treatment, men are less forthcoming. The primary reason for their inhibition is because of cultural stereotypes that expect men to be ‘strong’ or ‘in control’ of their emotions. As a result, men suffering from depression tend to discuss physical symptoms and mask the real reason for their problems. Consequently why, depression in men is not easily recognizable.
Other reasons are related to the way men cope with depression. Unlike women, men are more likely to camouflage their feelings of sadness with anger, irritability and aggression. While some men turn to alcohol or drugs to overcome the feeling of isolation, others may spend more hours at work. There is a stigma attached to mental illness of any kind, including depression, and admitting it can have an impact on the man’s career.
Undergoing treatment is again an issue, as taking time away from work can disrupt the man’s career, and in families where the man is the sole breadwinner, this can severely impact the financial health of the family. Further, depression and the treatment for depression causes sexual dysfunction in most men,thereby creating a vicious circle of despair. That is the reason men are more likely to use strong means of ending their lives (such as shooting or hanging themselves) unlike women who attempt suicide using soft methods.
Causes
Constant ongoing research and findings reveal that depression is not related to an individual’s moods or way of thinking, but is a serious condition that results from changes in the patient’s brain chemistry. However, despite extensive research, there is no clarity on the root cause of these changes. It has been found that neurotransmitters, or chemicals used by the nerves to communicate with each other, do not function properly at times. As a result, some areas of the brain are inactive while others are active causing an imbalance in the patient’s moods, thoughts, feelings and behavior.
Triggers and Risk Factors
Other reasons are related to the way men cope with depression. Unlike women, men are more likely to camouflage their feelings of sadness with anger, irritability and aggression. While some men turn to alcohol or drugs to overcome the feeling of isolation, others may spend more hours at work. There is a stigma attached to mental illness of any kind, including depression, and admitting it can have an impact on the man’s career.
Undergoing treatment is again an issue, as taking time away from work can disrupt the man’s career, and in families where the man is the sole breadwinner, this can severely impact the financial health of the family. Further, depression and the treatment for depression causes sexual dysfunction in most men,thereby creating a vicious circle of despair. That is the reason men are more likely to use strong means of ending their lives (such as shooting or hanging themselves) unlike women who attempt suicide using soft methods.
Causes
Constant ongoing research and findings reveal that depression is not related to an individual’s moods or way of thinking, but is a serious condition that results from changes in the patient’s brain chemistry. However, despite extensive research, there is no clarity on the root cause of these changes. It has been found that neurotransmitters, or chemicals used by the nerves to communicate with each other, do not function properly at times. As a result, some areas of the brain are inactive while others are active causing an imbalance in the patient’s moods, thoughts, feelings and behavior.
Triggers and Risk Factors
- Loneliness and lack of support system, such as friends and family
- Inability to handle stress at work, school or at home
- A history of substance abuse
- Marital, financial and career issues
- Trauma or abuse in childhood
- Disease and disability in old age
- Death of a friend or family member
- Chronic ailments such as Cancer, Diabetes, Heart disease, HIV and Stroke
Symptoms of Male Depression
- Fatigue, lack of energy and enthusiasm in routine activities
- Lack of interest in leisure or fun activities
- Inability to concentrate
- Suicidal thoughts
- Physical pain and discomfort, including headache, backache, indigestion, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction
- Angry, violent and abusive behavior
- Reckless behavior such as rash driving, playing dangerous sports, and unsafe sex
Forms of Depression
- Major depression: Lasts for weeks to a few months. Typical symptoms include inability to work, irregular eating, poor sleep, and lack of interest in any activity
- Psychotic depression:Lasts for weeks to a few months. Typical symptoms include inability to differentiate reality from imagination. Patients experience excessive guilt, despair, a feeling of worthlessness, imagined voices, and suicidal thoughts
- Persistent depressive disorder:Lasts for months to couple of years at a stretch. Typical symptoms include being permanently depressed along with some of the symptoms of major depression (dysthymia) and chronic major depression
Treatment
- Drugs: Antidepressants, which manipulate specific chemicals in the brain, are used to treat depression. These are of two types: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- Counseling or Talk Therapy: is found to be effective in treating mild forms of depression that last for several months
- Psychotherapy: Different forms of psychotherapy such as psychoanalysis, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, experiential therapy and Insight-oriented therapy are employed to treat depression
- Lifestyle changes which include regular exercise, nutritious diet, adequate sleep and counseling for better stress management
Depression can be treated effectively when diagnosed in time. If you suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned here, contact your primary care physician. He/she will conduct a thorough examination and recommend you to a specialist who will plan the right course of treatment for you.
