Tuesday 22 March 2016

Recognizing Depression in Men




Depression is a common but serious illness that can affect men and women differently. Men tend to focus on the physical symptoms, such as feeling tired or losing weight, rather than emotional symptoms like feeling 'low'. Early detection is important, as untreated depression can lead to suicide. People with depression can do many things to help themselves, and treatment is widely available and effective. Although depression is the same disorder in both genders, men do experience different symptoms and act on it in a different way. 

For example, women may be 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 may shy away from talking about their feelings, asking for help, and seeking treatment for depression.

Perhaps one of the reasons male depression may go undiagnosed is that men fear the repercussions of admitting they have a mental illness. They may be concerned that their coworkers, friends, and family would feel differently about them if they admitted they needed help for depression. Also, they may fear that their job security, promotion potential, and health benefits would be negatively affected if their coworkers or boss found out they were depressed

Signs of depression in men can affect anybody, but it is less likely to be noticed by men or the people around them. If depression isn’t detected, then it can’t be treated, and it has the potential to become severe and disabling. Depression is also a known risk factor for suicide.  Although men are more likely than women to recognize the physical symptoms of depression, such as feeling tired and irritable, they are less likely to think of this as depression. Some men may expect they will always be physically and mentally strong and self reliant and experiencing depression can be seen as a weakness rather than a common health issue.

 Men generally tend to put off getting help for health problems, and this is probably even more so for mental health issues. They think they should be able to handle the problems themselves or ‘harden up’ and get over it. Unfortunately a lot of men manage their symptoms by using too much alcohol, or recreational drugs, which make the symptoms worse.

Depression is very common over our lifetimes, one in eight men, and one in five women will experience an episode of major depressive disorder. Many more will experience less severe forms of depression, which will nevertheless have negative impacts on their lives and the lives of those around them. Depression can have very serious consequences for men and their families, especially if it’s not recognized and proper treatment and support provided.

Depression affects both men and women, but quite often what they experience and how they respond is different. Men are more likely than women to recognize and describe the physical symptoms of depression in men, such as feeling tired or losing weight.  For more information visit the site https://selfbetter.com/ .

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