In this section you will find:
Depression is a common brain disorder that affects one of every seven individuals in their lifetime. Depressive illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder are caused by a combination of genetics, changes in the brain's stress response, different chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) and differences in the brain's circuitry patterns in response to life events. At least six million men in the United States suffer from a depressive episode every year.
Men and women share many standard symptoms of depression, such as sleep, appetite and pleasure disturbances, but men frequently experience depression differently than women. They may emphasize physical complaints, such as backaches. They may get discouraged, angry and irritable rather than helpless or hopeless. Instead of asking for help when depressed, men tend to turn to drugs or alcohol, or work excessively long hours. In addition, depressed men may not recognize that physical symptoms such as fatigue, digestive problems and aches and pains that won't go away can be symptoms of depression. Due in part to these factors, depression in men often goes undetected, with serious and tragic consequences: four times as many men as women die by suicide in the United States.
The positive news, however, is that depression is treatable, most often with medication, psychotherapy ("talk" therapy) or a combination of both. Even better news for those who have struggled with repeat episodes is that it is possible to prevent recurrences for most. For men, acknowledging they are depressed and asking for help may be the biggest hurdle. Men—and their families and friends—have to learn that depression is a brain disease and a common illness, just as pain in the chest may be secondary to a heart disease. Depression is NOT a sign of weakness. Family, friends and co-workers can help to recognize depressive symptoms in men, emphasize that depression is a medical illness and encourage them to seek appropriate treatment.
At least six million men in the United States suffer from a depressive episode every year.
Possible Depression Triggers for Men Throughout the Lifespan
- Adjustment to college or graduate school
- Loss of job, through layoff or retirement
- Ongoing health problems such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease
- Divorce
- "Mid-Life Crisis"
- Death of friends or family members
- Excessive alcohol or drug use
- Active military service or retirement
Symptoms of Depression: What to Look for in Men
While depression is common across the lifespan and in both sexes, symptoms of depression can vary by gender and age group. Here are some of the most common unique symptoms experienced by men.
Symptoms in Adult Men
- Feeling angry, frustrated or irritable
- Working excessive hours
- Low energy
- Physical aches and pains that won't go away
- Reckless behavior
- Abuse of alcohol or drugs
- Concentration and/or memory problems
Evaluation and Treatment
The first step to getting appropriate treatment for depression is a physical examination by a physician. Certain medications as well as some medical conditions such as a viral infection, thyroid disorder, or low testosterone level can cause the same symptoms as depression, and the physician should rule out these possibilities through examination, interview, and lab tests. If no such cause of the depressive symptoms is found, the physician should do a psychological evaluation or refer the patient to a mental health professional.
A good diagnostic evaluation will include a complete history of symptoms: i.e., when they started, how long they have lasted, their severity, and whether the patient had them before and, if so, if the symptoms were treated and what treatment was given. The doctor should ask about alcohol and drug use, and if the patient has thoughts about death or suicide. Further, a history should include questions about whether other family members have had a depressive illness and, if treated, what treatments they may have received and if they were effective. Last, a diagnostic evaluation should include a mental status examination to determine if speech, thought patterns, or memory has been affected, as sometimes happens with depressive disorders.
Treatment choice will depend on the patient's diagnosis, severity of symptoms, and preference. There are a variety of treatments, including medications and short term psychotherapies (i.e., "talk" therapies) that have proven effective for depressive disorders. In general, severe depressive illnesses, particularly those that are recurrent, will require a combination of treatments for the best outcome. (NIMH)
Depression in Elderly Men
Men must cope with several kinds of stress as they age. If they have been the primary wage earners for their families and have identified heavily with their jobs, they may feel stress upon retirement, ¬loss of an important role, loss of self esteem ¬that can lead to depression. Similarly, the loss of friends and family and the onset of other health problems can trigger depression.
Depression is not a normal part of aging. Depression is an illness that can be effectively treated, thereby decreasing unnecessary suffering, improving the chances for recovery from other illnesses, and prolonging productive life. However, health care professionals may miss depressive symptoms in older patients. Older adults may be reluctant to discuss feelings of sadness or grief, or loss of interest in pleasurable activities. They may complain primarily of physical symptoms. It may be difficult to discern a co occurring depressive disorder in patients who present with other illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, or cancer, which may cause depressive symptoms or may be treated with medications that have side effects that cause depression. If a depressive illness is diagnosed, treatment with appropriate medication and/or brief psychotherapy can help older adults manage both diseases, thus enhancing survival and quality of life.
Identifying and treating depression in older adults is critical. There is a common misperception that suicide rates are highest among the young, but it is older white males who suffer the highest rate. Over 70 percent of older suicide victims visit their primary care physician within the month of their death; many have a depressive illness that goes undetected during these visits.
Approximately 80 percent of older adults with depression improve when they receive treatment with antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. In addition, research has shown that a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication is highly effective for reducing recurrences of depression among older adults. Psychotherapy alone has been shown to prolong periods of good health free from depression, and is particularly useful for older patients who cannot or will not take medication. Improved recognition and treatment of depression in later life will make those years more enjoyable and fulfilling for the depressed elderly person, and his family and caregivers. (NIMH)
Summary
For most men with depression, life doesn't have to be so dark and hopeless. Life is hard enough as it is; and treating depression can free up vital resources to cope with life's challenges effectively. When a man is depressed, he's not the only one who suffers. His depression also darkens the lives of his family, his friends, virtually everyone close to him. Getting him into treatment can send ripples of healing and hope into all of those lives. Talk to a healthcare provider about how you are feeling, and ask for help. Depression is a real illness; it is treatable; and men can have it. It takes courage to ask for help, but help can make all the difference.
Sources
The content for Men and Depression was provided by the following NNDC sites unless otherwise specified above: