Depression in Men - Understanding Depression In Men And Getting Help

The symptoms of depression are similar for both men and women, but they tend to be expressed differently.

The symptoms of depression range from more subtle common feelings to severe symptoms as follows:

- Low self esteem
- loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities,
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Changes in appetite (increased or decreased appetite)
- Apathy
- Loss of interest in sex,
- Difficulty with concentration and sustaining attention,
- Thoughts of self harm
- Suicidal thoughts

Many psychologists now recognise people with what they term "smiling depression" because these people are so afraid of their intense feelings of despair that they hide them even from themselves.

There are several reasons why the symptoms of depression in men are not commonly recognized:

- Often men deny having problems. This is most likely because historically, and often culturally, men have been brought up to be tough, strong, successful, in control, macho, and as a result are less likely to express their emotions. Men are less likely to show typical signs of depression, such as crying, sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, or verbally expressing thoughts of suicide. In fact, often expression of feeling is seen as an inherently feminine trait. The result of this is that, men who are actually depressed are more likely to talk about the physical symptoms of their depression, such as feeling tired, rather than those related to their emotions. Keeping their true feelings hidden can often lead to frustration, irritability and sometimes even aggression.

- Men often are unwilling to admit to problems with their sexuality-mistakenly feeling that the problems are related to their manhood, when in fact they are caused by a medical problem such as depression.

- Because they feel unable to openly express their feelings, many men deal with grief by taking on more activities, such as working overtime or going on business trips to occupy their time. Some men may become involved in risk-taking behavior, such as dangerous sports or compulsive sexual activity. Some addictive behaviors, such as alcohol or other drug abuse, can escalate as the result of suppressed grief.

- Men generally have a harder time dealing with the stigma of depression.

- The physical symptoms of depression can include increased cholesterol levels, ulcers, high blood pressure and pain.

For these reasons, many men-as well as doctors and other health care professionals-fail to recognize the problem as depression. Some mental health care professionals suggest that if the symptoms of depression were expanded to include anger, blame, lashing out, and abuse of alcohol, more men might be diagnosed with depression and treated appropriately.

The answer is Yes. Depression is very treatable. In fact, treatment success in mental health is statistically better than success rates in treating many major medical problems. More than 80 percent of people with depression including both men and women can be treated successfully with antidepressant medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.

Depression in men can have devastating consequences. This article is just hitting the tip of the iceberg. Therefore if you think you are experiencing depression don't put up with it, and seek help quickly.

If you are having suicidal thoughts please get help immediately. Remember that the way you are thinking is being severely affected by your mood and depression can be very successfully treated or certainly improved. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

There are many organizations that can help you via a hotline number, and many have websites. Below are just a few of the most commonly used. You can also contact your family doctor or specialist mental health workers such as psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers. They may see you at their office or at a local hospital on an out patient basis.
Many private facilities and clinics specialize in mental health issues.
Community mental health centers and social or family organizations can also offer help and advice.

http://www.aware.ie/support.htm - Aware Ireland
http://www.nami.org/ - Nami.org USA
www.mentalhealthireland.ie - Mental Health Ireland
www.samaritans.org/Support - The Samaritans Ireland and UK.

In an emergency if you are feeling suicidal or believe a member of your family or a friends life is at risk call the police.

Check your local yellow pages for additional contact addresses and telephone numbers.