Recognize the Symptoms of Depression in Men, Don’t Underestimate

Common physical signs of depressed men include headaches, diarrhea, and erectile dysfunction.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Depression knows no gender. Both men and women are very likely to experience this problem in their lives.

Depression is a serious condition that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women experience: depression at a higher rate than men. However, it is thought that men may be underrepresented in these figures.

This may be due to a mix of social and biological factors that make it more difficult to notice and diagnose depression in men. They may also feel culturally pressured to act “manly” by hiding their emotions. Because of this, men may experience depression but with different and sometimes more difficult symptoms to identify.

Physical symptoms of depression in men

Men with depression may first show their physique. Although depression is considered a mental health disorder, it can also manifest in the body.

Many men are more likely to visit their doctor for physical problems than emotional ones. Some of the common physical signs of depression in men include chest tightness, digestive problems such as gas, diarrhea, and constipation, erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems, headaches, hormonal problems such as low testosterone, pain, racing heart, or palpitations. palpitations and unintentional weight loss (and sometimes weight gain).

Mental symptoms of depression in men

Mental symptoms of depression can appear differently in men than in women. This is what makes depression in men hard to detect.

These symptoms can interfere with the way a person thinks and processes information, affecting behavior and emotions. Some of the most common mental symptoms of depression in men include an inability to concentrate, memory problems, obsessive-compulsive thought patterns, worrying that hasn’t happened yet, trouble sleeping, usually difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep and suicidal thoughts.

Emotional symptoms of depression in men

When people hear the word “depression,” most people think of something sad or gloomy. However, sadness is only one of the many possible emotions that depression can cause.

Apart from sadness, men may experience depressive symptoms such as agitation, aggression, anger, emotional withdrawal from friends, family, and coworkers, hopelessness, lack of interest in family, community, hobbies, and work, lack of libido and restlessness.

Behavioral signs of depression in men

Mental, physical, and emotional symptoms of depression in men can also affect behavior. Because some men refuse to discuss their emotions, often their behavioral symptoms of depression are obvious to others.

In men, behavioral symptoms of depression most often include difficulty meeting work, family, and other personal responsibilities, drug abuse, drinking alcohol, engaging in risky activities, such as reckless driving, social isolation, and attempted suicide.

Why can depression go undiagnosed in men?

Our mental health issues are more widely campaigned, but there is still some cultural and social stigma surrounding depression among men. Generally, men are socialized by society to contain their emotions, even though we know doing so is unhealthy.

In their efforts to maintain these social norms, many men may sacrifice their emotional, physical, and mental well-being. In addition, many men have never been taught to recognize the less typical signs of depression that they are more likely to experience than others.

Some men never seek help for their depression because they never recognize the signs. On the other hand, men who recognize these signs may find it difficult to discuss their experiences because they are afraid of being judged by others.

As a result, when many men experience signs of depression, they start working long hours or fill their time to stay busy, instead of dealing with the depression themselves. Diagnosing depression and seeking treatment can help save lives. The suicide rate is quite high among men, especially those who have served or are currently serving in the military.

In addition, men are three to four times more likely than women to commit suicide. Keeping the conversation open can help men to recognize signs of depression.

By seeking treatment, men with depression can live their lives to the fullest. Depression is most often treated with talk therapy, medication, or both at the same time.

A healthcare professional can help create a personalized treatment plan that works best for you. Many men begin treatment for cases of moderate depression by scheduling an appointment with a speech therapist (psychotherapist).

From there, the therapist may suggest certain types of treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, problem solving therapy and psychodynamic therapy. Medications can be added, if needed.

For more severe cases, medication may be prescribed immediately to help relieve some of the physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of depression. This may occur in someone who is having suicidal thoughts or who has attempted suicide.

Antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil) or sertraline (Zoloft) are commonly used to treat depression. However, a mental health professional may also suggest other medications.

Be aware that these medications often take a few weeks to months or start to make a noticeable difference in how you feel. So patience is required and stick to the treatment plan.

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