Depression

The Y Chromosome isn't immune

Depression is a serious, yet treatable mental health disorder that can affect any man, no matter how keen his sense of direction or burly his mustache. While depression is often associated with sadness and hopelessness, it often manifests itself in fits of rage, unnecessary risk taking and alcohol or drug abuse in men.

What to Look Out for

Physical

Persistent pain
Loss of energy
Loss of sex drive
Changes in appetite
Lethargy
Exhaustion
Change in sleep patterns
Restlessness
Alcohol or drug abuse

Emotional

Feeling guilty
Feeling angry or violent
Losing interest in hobbies
Apathy
Feeling sad or nervous
Feeling alone
Taking unnecessary risks
Thinking about death or suicide

Depression: Men vs. Women

Unlike women, most depressed men don't exhibit the sad, self-loathing behavior we've come to associate with the disease. In fact, guys and gals deal with depression in vastly different ways.

Depressed men tend to:

Blame others
Feel angry, irritated and ego-inflated
Feel suspicious and guarded
Create conflicts
Feel restless and agitated
Need to feel in control
Find it "weak" to admit despair
Use alcohol, TV and sports to self-medicate

Depressed women tend to:

Blame themselves
Feel sad, apathetic and worthless
Feel anxious and scared
Avoid conflicts at all costs
Feel slowed down and nervous
Have trouble setting boundaries
Find it easy to talk about despair
Use food, friends and "love" to self-medicate

Causes

Depression isn't the result of being a sissy, mama's boy or crybaby.It's the result of uncontrollable changes in brain chemistry, often caused by environmental triggers, like stress, divorce, death of a loved one or sudden financial troubles. Depression can also be caused by physical afflictions, such as food intolerances, B-vitamin deficiency or low thyroid (hypothyroidism).

What can I do

Fortunately there is a lot you can do to fix depression. Depression is a highly treatable disorder. In most cases it can be improved with a combination of lifestyle changes, professional therapy and medication.

Still it is believed that millions of American men suffering from depression are going untreated. If you think you might have depression, it is important that you do something about it. Don't let it defeat you without putting up a fight. Check out the Man Therapies section of my office. There you'll find self-help tools and a list of therapists in your area.

Connecting with a resource near you is a good place to start.