by Carol Weiss, MA

Each year depression affects about six million American men and the number may be much higher, as men seem more reluctant than women to seek help with this condition. There are several varieties of male depression: major depressive episodes, chronic, less severe on-going depression, and bipolar or manic-depressive illness. All of these conditions are highly treatable though many men don’t recognize or acknowledge the symptoms.

Depression is different than “the blues.” Everyone feels sad or “down in the dumps” from time to time. Stress and major life events can trigger these feelings, which resolve as the stress is eliminated or the life change is gotten used to. Depression is an illness that affects body, mood, and thoughts. It changes the way you think as well as how you feel. A man can’t just “snap out of it” when clinically depressed. Left untreated depression can last for months or years at a time. Depressive illness makes routine tasks impossibly difficult and robs a man of the pleasure that makes life feel worthwhile. His intimate partner, family, friends, work and career all suffer during periods of depression.

Symptoms of male depression

Feeling sad, sleeping poorly, feeling guilty and worthless are common. Bouts of crying are less common than with depressed women, probably because of societal and cultural messages than can deny a man this form of expression.

Other symptoms include anger, frustration, and irritability, violent behavior, weight loss without trying, risk-taking such as reckless driving or extramarital sex, loss of concentration, isolation from family and friends, little interest in usual pleasurable activities and hobbies, overwhelming fatigue, loss of interest in work, alcohol or substance abuse, misuse of prescription medication, and thoughts of suicide.

When male depression is not treated

Many men ignore or belittle the affect that depression is having on their lives. They may work more, avoid family and friends, and use substances as medicine. Men may attempt to blunt the pain of depression with alcohol, street drugs, or misuse or overuse of prescription medication. Depression affects health. It can keep stress responses constantly activated, which can damage organs, including the heart. In a given year depressed men are twice as likely as other men to die of any cause. Depression increases the risk of divorce and your child’s risk of developing depression themselves. At work, depression makes a man less effective and thus more likely to lose his job.

Suicide risk

Although women are twice as likely to report depression, men are four times more likely to commit suicide because of it. Starting in adolescence men are far more likely than women to take their own lives. Older white men, especially those over 85, have the highest suicide rate of all. Women are more likely to attempt suicide but men are more likely to complete suicide. Men use more lethal methods such as guns but other factors are involved. Studies show that a man who contemplates suicide is likely to take an average of just 12 months to attempting it. This is a short window of opportunity for family, friends, and health care providers to recognize a man’s depression and insure he receives the help he needs.

Seeking professional yreatment

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide seek help immediately from a physician, the nearest hospital emergency room, or 911 services.

If depression is suspected, schedule a physical examination with your primary health care physician first. Some conditions such as viral infection, thyroid disorder, or low testosterone levels can produce depression-like symptoms. Once these are ruled out, a depression screening is needed. This is an oral and/or written screening. State of the art treatment includes psychotherapy and possibly antidepressant medication. Self care will include eating regular nutritious meals, getting adequate sleep, avoiding alcohol and other non-prescription drugs and spending time with supportive family and friends. Recent studies show that regular exercise (30-60 minutes daily) is extremely helpful in the treatment of depression. If fatigue is an issue begin with gentle walks.

Watching thought patterns is also very important. Depression is an illness and it is important not to be self-critical or judgmental about the disease. Delay important decisions such as changing jobs or getting married or divorced until your depression improves. Prompt treatment of depression increases the likelihood of cure and decreases the possibility of recurrence.

Carol Weiss, MA is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 30 years experience treating men and women suffering from depression. She can be reached at 468-4006 on Lopez Island.