Understanding Depression in Men

Depression is suffered by both men and women, yet the two genders can experience it in different ways. The most common symptoms of depression are typically sadness. For men, there is often a higher tendency for feelings of anger than women. Men may also be more aggressive and use alcohol or drugs to end their feelings of depression.

Unfortunately, men are less likely to speak about their depression. This also makes men unlikely to get treatment for their mental health issue.

Men often go undiagnosed when it comes to depression. In all, there is a total lack of seeking treatment to recover from the mental health condition¹1.NIMH » National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).; Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression.

According to an American Psychological Association article from a survey conducted in 2015:

• 9% of men in the United States had daily feelings of anxiety and/or depression
• 33% of men in the US took medication for daily feelings of anxiety and/or depression
• 25% of men in the US spoke to a mental healthcare professional
• 6% of men suffered from depression in their lifetime
• The suicide rate in men is four-times higher than women in the US
• White men aged 85 or older have the highest suicide rate in the US with 51 out of every 100,000

What is Depression in Men?

Depression is a complex mental health condition. It is a mood disorder that attacks a person’s feelings, thoughts, body, emotions, and behavior. Depression may be classed as major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression by healthcare professionals.

Women are more likely than men to suffer from depression. It affects 10.4% of women while only 5.5% of men in the US experience it²2.Signs of depression in men: What to know, Signs of depression in men: What to know.; Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324312. However, those numbers could be different due to many men not seeking a diagnosis or help from mental healthcare providers.

Unfortunately, many men seek out other ways to treat their depressed state on their own. Substance abuse and even suicide are ways in which men respond to depression.

Symptoms of Male Depression

Knowing the differences between the symptoms for men and women is important.

Symptoms of male depression

• • feeling sad, guilty, tearful, or empty
  • not finding enjoyment in pleasurable activities
  • appetite and/or weight changes
  • crippling sadness
  • not enough or too much sleep
  • loss of sex drive or hypersexuality
  • agitation
  • tired and fatigued
  • unable to concentrate

These symptoms are not found in everyone suffering from depression. Men may even suffer from different depression symptoms.

Men can experience behavioral changes including:

• drinking more
• taking drugs
• avoiding family or friends
• working obsessively without breaks
• finding it hard to keep up with work tasks or family responsibilities
• becoming more controlling or abusive to partners or children
• engaging in risk-taking behavior
• attempting suicide

It is believed these behavioral changes occur because men try to mask the feelings of suicide³3.Depression in men, Depression in men – signs, causes, how to help | healthdirect.; Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/depression-in-men. A lack of interest in hobbies and activities men previously did for fun can also occur.

If you experience emotional, behavioral, or physical changes such as the ones above, it is important to seek out a mental healthcare professional for help. There are various treatment options from medication to talk therapy that can help you recover your life.

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