Provided by the National Institute of Mental Health
The facts about men and depression.
An estimated six million men in the United States have a depressive
disorder-major depression, dysthymia (chronic, less severe depression), or
bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness)-every year. Although these illnesses
are highly treatable, many men do not recognize, acknowledge, or seek help for
their depression.
While both men and women may develop the standard symptoms of depression, they
often experience depression differently and may have different ways of coping.
Men may be more willing to report fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in
work or hobbies, and sleep disturbances rather than feelings of sadness,
worthlessness, and excessive guilt, which are commonly associated with
depression in women. Also, tragically, four times as many men as women die by
suicide, even though women make more suicide attempts during their lives.
The truth is, depression is a real and treatable illness. It can strike at any
age, from childhood into late life. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the
vast majority of men with depression can be helped.
What makes depression different from the blues?
Depression is a serious medical condition that involves the body, mood, and
thoughts. It affects how you eat and sleep. It alters your self-perception. It
changes the way you think and feel. Men with a depressive illness can't just
"snap out of it" or "pull themselves together," because depression isn't the
same as a passing mood. Left untreated, depression may last for weeks, months,
or years at a time.
Depressive illnesses can make routine tasks unbearably difficult. Pleasures that
make life worth living-watching a football game, playing with children, even
making love-can be drained of joy. Depression brings pain and disruption not
only to the person who has it, but also to his family and others who care about
him.
If you are experiencing some of the following symptoms, you may have a
depressive illness. Ask yourself if you are feeling: sad or "empty"; irritable
or angry; guilty or worthless; pessimistic or hopeless; tired or "slowed down";
restless or agitated; like no one cares about you; or like life is not worth
living. You may also: sleep more or less than usual; eat more or less than
usual; have persistent headaches, stomachaches or chronic pain; have trouble
concentrating, remembering things or making decisions; lose interest in work or
hobbies; or lose interest in sex.
If these symptoms are familiar, it's time to talk with your doctor. Depression
is a real, medical illness that can be successfully treated, most often with
medication, psychotherapy ("talk" therapy), or a combination of both. Support
from family and friends plays an important role as well.
It takes courage to ask for help.
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