Statistics tell us that women are twice as likely to get depressed as men. Of the estimated 18 million Americans who suffer from depression in a given year, only one-third are men. Some health professionals say this is because women experience hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause , which may both contribute to depression and complicate its treatment. But are men really less likely than women to get depressed, or are they just less likely to acknowledge it?
Male depression is a widespread problem in the United States. To deal with it, we need to understand how it differs from female depression. Whether it’s because some men are ashamed to admit they have a mental condition or they just aren’t as attuned to their mental health as women, research shows that men tend to ignore symptoms of depression.
Women are more likely to have pure depression than men; men are more likely to have other, co-morbid disorders. Women are also more likely to have anxiety in association with their depression, while men are more likely to exhibit signs of substance abuse or conduct disorder.
Some evidence indicates that depression may be even more dangerous for men than for women. Men are more likely than women to commit suicide, although women are more likely to attempt suicide. To make matters worse, many men shy away from talking about their feelings, asking for help, and seeking treatment for depression.
Perhaps one of the reasons male depression often goes undiagnosed is that men fear the repercussions of admitting they have a mental illness. Some research has indicated that men are concerned that their coworkers, friends, and family would look down on them if they sought help for depression. Also, many men fear that their job security, promotion potential, and health benefits would be negatively affected if their coworkers or boss found out they were depressed.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says the following symptoms are common in depression, regardless of gender:
Although these symptoms appear in both men and women who are depressed, studies show that men handle them differently than women. For example, most men don’t realize that physical symptoms—headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain—can be associated with depression.
Also, depressed men are less likely to experience sadness, worthlessness, and guilt as symptoms of depression. They do, however, commonly experience fatigue, irritability, anger, loss of interest in relationships, decreased interest in hobbies, excessive time spent at work, and sleep disturbances. The more we find out about how depression differs between men and women, the better health professionals will become at recognizing and treating this condition in men.
If you think you may be depressed, schedule a visit with your physician. It is possible that another condition—such as an infection, a thyroid disorder, or low testosterone—is causing you to feel depressed. Sometimes when these conditions are treated, your symptoms will disappear. If your physician determines that your symptoms aren’t caused by another condition, you will likely undergo a psychological evaluation for depression, either by your physician or a referred mental health professional.
During a psychological evaluation, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms, your drug and alcohol use, whether or not you’ve had thoughts of death and suicide, and if depressive disorders run in your family. Also, the doctor will assess your mental status, including your speech, thought patterns, and memory.
Depending on your diagnosis, treatment for depression may include a combination of medications, psychotherapies, and other therapies to help alleviate symptoms of depression.
In addition to your prescribed therapy, the NIMH suggests you incorporate the following strategies into your life to help cope with depression:
It is important for men to understand that depression is a disease of the brain, not a sign of weakness. Depression can be successfully treated, and seeking treatment can improve the quality of life of any man who is depressed, as well as those close to him.
RESOURCES:
Mental Health America
http://www.nmha.org/
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Mental Health Association
http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/
Canadian Psychiatric Association
http://www.cpa-apc.org/
References:
Depression can differ in men and women. National Institutes of Health (NIH) website. Available at: http://www.nih.gov/news/NIH-Record/05_15_2001/main.htm . Accessed August 13, 2003.
Depression: what you need to know. Mental Health America website. Available at: http://www.nmha.org/go/depression . Accessed June 9, 2009.
Real men, real depression. National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: http://menanddepression.nimh.nih.gov/default.asp . Accessed July 31, 2003.
Last reviewed May 2009 by Theodor B. Rais MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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