Who Is The World's Top Expert On Symptoms Of Depression?
Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Men
Men who suffer from depression are less likely to seek treatment and their symptoms can be difficult to identify than women. Men are conditioned by society to suppress their emotions and adhere to strict "masculine norms", which can make it difficult to express their emotions.
Encourage the male friend or family member who is suffering from depression to seek treatment. Here are some indicators of depression for males:
1. Loss of interest in the activities
A sudden loss of interest in things that usually make you happy could be an indication of depression. You may notice that you are no longer engaged in certain activities and you feel tired often or you are having trouble sleeping.
It's normal for your interests to change in time, but if you're unable to find enjoyment in any activity, it's essential to seek help. Depression can alter your appetite and make it difficult to consume food. It can also trigger weight gain or loss.
Unlike women, men tend to hide their emotions more often and might not be aware of the symptoms of depression. The stigma attached to mental health makes men less likely to seek treatment. If you notice your male family member or friend displaying these signs, it's important to encourage him to visit his GP for diagnosis and treatment.
Although depression can strike at any age for both men and woman but it is most prevalent in midlife. This could be due to a myriad of reasons, such as changes in health or physical conditions. It could be a result of stressors in relationships. Men are more likely to experience feelings of sadness, despair, and grief in response to disappointments.
They might then drink heavily and abuse drugs or gamble regularly to deal with their emotions. This can cause physical problems such as headaches, back pain and digestive issues as well as emotional issues such as irritability or anger. This can also lead men to engage in reckless behaviors like participating in dangerous sports or driving in reckless manners. Men may also become aggressive or abusive in order to conceal or cope with their feelings. This is referred to as toxic masculinity and can be a warning sign of depression.
2. It is difficult to concentrate
If you observe that someone you know is having trouble concentrating or seems easily distracted, it could be a sign of depression. Depression can alter the way individuals interact with others. They may not be able to their needs or communicate effectively.
Men are often more hesitant to seek help for depression than women, and this can be due to a number of factors. Men may cover up depression symptoms with aggressive behavior, alcohol or drugs, due to cultural beliefs that men should be able control their emotions. Men are often uncomfortable speaking about their emotions. This can also hinder treatment.
Despite the fact that men's depression symptoms can be very different than women's and vice versa, both types of depression are treated in a similar way by psychologists and other mental health professionals. However, as awareness of the different depression symptoms for men grows and psychologists are becoming more aware of this, they are dissociating their research and treatment efforts to take into account gender-specific symptoms.
Men are at greater risk of post-traumatic depressive disorders (such as injuries, illnesses or the loss of a loved one or even combat), and therefore require more attention and specialized care. Also, since men are more likely to suffer physical traumas, they're more at risk for depression in response to those events.
Anyone who is concerned that someone close to them is suffering from depression should urge them to reach out to professional help. I Am Psychiatry 's also important to remember that the longer depression is untreated, the more severe and damaging it is.
3. Anxiety
Men who are depressed can also be extremely anxious. This is due to the fact that they may not be able to control their emotions and are more likely to feel that there is something wrong with them. This can often be an indication of someone who is contemplating suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing this, it's important that you seek help immediately. You can reach a crisis counselor by dialing 911, or the local emergency number or texting TALK 741741.
While everyone experiences anxiety from time to the other, it is essential to seek help if your symptoms are persistent and disrupt your daily life. A doctor may prescribe medications or other treatments to help manage your symptoms.
It can be difficult to identify depression in males because the symptoms and signs differ from those experienced by women. For example women can express sadness and feelings of despair and men might be angry or irritable. Men are also more likely than women to use alcohol and drugs to manage their symptoms. This is because men often attempt to hide their depression to adhere to gender stereotypes.
It is crucial that people are aware of the signs of depression in men in order to seek assistance. While recent discussions on mental health have been more inclusive and open but it's still a challenge for many men to discuss their feelings within a society that is based on traditional notions of masculinity. This makes men less likely to seek help, which is why primary care physicians only treat depression in males about half as often as females.
4. Feelings of despair
Some men feel depressed because they do not have a good sense of how to improve, and they often don't seek assistance. This is a common way to manage, but it could be detrimental in the long run. If a person continues to go without treatment, his symptoms will become more severe. Depression can affect all aspects of one's life, like relationships, work, and health.
Men who feel depressed are more likely to have suicidal thoughts, or even behaviors. If you have a family member or friend who is experiencing these thoughts, try talking with him in a non-judgmental environment and offer support. You can also suggest to your friend to seek assistance from a mental health professional or another trusted source. You could also connect him to a men's support group or contact the suicide crisis hotline.
In general, it's more comfortable for women to open to emotional issues than men, which may be the reason why depression among males is underdiagnosed. Some men believe that seeking mental health treatment isn't "manly." Others may be concerned that they might be treated differently by their coworkers or friends when they seek help.
Apart from feeling depressed, those who suffer from depression may also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, pains and aches or digestive problems. These symptoms could be a sign or symptom of depression, or a different health condition such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes. If the symptoms persist, it is important to speak with a doctor. He might suggest medication or counseling as well as other treatments to alleviate symptoms and manage depression. Some of these treatments include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation. He might also suggest lifestyle changes like exercise, sleep changes and healthy eating habits.
5. Anger
A man who gets angry easily, is short-tempered or is irritable could be suffering from depression. This can be seen in many ways, from road rage to angry outbursts in the workplace or at home. People with depression might struggle to control their anger and agitation. This can cause substance abuse and family problems and a lack of ability to carry out everyday tasks.
While depression can be experienced by anyone, it's more prevalent in men in their mid-life. This is due to many factors including health and physical changes, stress in relationships, and job-related challenges. Men are also affected by trauma-related incidents like military combat, childhood trauma or natural disasters.
Men with depression typically have an internalized perception of the world, which can lead to feelings of ineptitude towards others, as well as increased levels of aggression and anger. People who are depressed might have a lower libido, or a feeling of discontent with their sexual relationships.
Researchers have found that men display a wide range of emotions that include depression and anger. In fact, one study showed that men were classified into latent classes based on their level of internalized depressive and externalized anger.
People who suffer from depression can benefit from identifying the negative thoughts that drive their anger and re-examining those thinking patterns. By re-examining and challenging these negative beliefs, one can begin to accept responsibility for his own actions and behavior instead of feeling powerless or victimized by the way that others treat him. This can also result in an unbiased perspective and help to reduce depression symptoms. Talk therapy can be a great way to begin this process. Experts suggest that even the most sceptical men can feel relief by expressing their feelings to the counselor.