Depression is not the same as sadness or loneliness. It’s a mental health problem that people experience for a number of reasons. And just because a person seems fine doesn’t mean that he or she is not experiencing depression.
You’ll be surprised that a person, especially in boys and men, doesn’t look sad at all and sometimes, they can even mask their depression with a funny or happy personality, which is why it’s hard to detect this mental health problem.
Depression is a mental and clinical health problem, also called clinical depression or major depressive disorder, that is usually distinguished as feelings of despair, restlessness or sadness. Everyone has their own unique situation and shows different signs and symptoms.
Depression affects about 7.1% of adults in the U.S.: women with the rate of 8.7% and men with about 5.3%. In men, depression is often characterized by aggressiveness, anger, and even melancholy. This is why male depression often goes unnoticed because people relate their symptoms to the concept of manliness.
Common and Unexpected Signs of Depression in Men
Men and women are different in terms of the signs of depression. This is because women are more open to talking about their emotions and their mental or physical problems, so most women with depression may appear sad. Unlike men, they often hide their emotions and their mental problems, so most men with depression may appear angry. This is why women with depression have a higher rate of suicidal attempts, but men are more likely to pursue suicide and die because of their more lethal ways and methods.
So if you think that a person has depression, then you should look out for these consistent signs for the next two weeks:
Loss of interest in activities that you usually love
Feelings of worthlessness
Feelings of sadness
Weight gain or loss
Problem in concentrating
Restlessness and fatigue
Trouble sleeping or lethargy
Suicidal thoughts and attempts
Isolating oneself from family members and friends
For men, maybe your partner, family member, friend, husband, or even yourself, these are the signs that you should look out for:
Risky behavior
Anxiety and restlessness
Finding alcohol or drugs
Sexual performance and desire problems
Irritability or anger
Aggressiveness
Headache, back pain, cramps, or any physical pain
Irresponsibility toward family, work, and other commitments.
Kinds of Depression Common in Men
There is a wide range of kinds of depression among people. But for men, here are the kinds of depression that are commonly present in men.
1. Psychotic Depression
Psychotic depression is a severe kind of depression that is characterized by hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that do not exist) or delusions (false beliefs).
2. Major Depression
Major depression is a usual type of depression that is characterized by a loss of interest in friends, family members, and activities. Men who have this type of depression often have a dark mood and can experience severe signs that can greatly affect one’s ability to work, sleep, eat, and live life normally.
3. Seasonal Affective Disorder
The seasonal affective disorder usually affects men during winter, where there is less vegetation and less natural light. Men with this type of depression usually eat more, gain weight, sleep more, and detach themselves from people, even their families and friends.
4. Persistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia, is a very persistent type of depression that can last for over two years and may be accompanied by episodes of less severe symptoms and episodes of major depression.
5. Minor Depression
Minor depression is characterized by signs and symptoms that are similar to persistent depressive disorder and major depression, but they happen for a shorter time and are less severe than the other types of depression.
Conclusion
Depression is a mental health problem that a lot of people have, not just for women, but even for men. The symptoms of depression in men usually go unnoticed because people usually relate their symptoms to the concept of manliness. And because men don’t usually talk about their emotional, mental and physical problems, it has become more and more alarming for men as they are more likely prone to death from suicide, unlike women.
Hope Seed Support Center is an organization that provides service to the community through counseling in Houston, nutritional therapy, and many other services. Let’s help you get through depression. Schedule an appointment today.
