Depression in Men - What a Depressed Man Looks Like

  

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Well the first few weeks of the new year have hit a lot of men pretty hard.  Here are some of the stories I've heard from men in counseling already this month:

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    • "When she said maybe it's time to part ways, I realized my marriage is over" -- Jim B.
    • "I got laid off the Friday before Christmas" -- Nate L.
    • "My girl friend and I are splitting up" -- Sean O.
    • "My son's mother told me she's going to keep me from seeing him this year" -- Anthony G.
    • "I hate my life" -- John M.

It's been rough in counseling lately.  If you're struggling, maybe even feeling hopeless, you're not alone.

Circumstances like these can naturally lead men to feel depressed.  Many men get depressed.  In fact, more than 6 million men (7% of the male population in the United States) have an episode of major depression each year.

Depression in men typically looks different than it does in women.  Additionally, because of cultural expectations for men to be strong, not have problems, or talk about how they feel, signs of depression are often hidden by men.  Men are more likely to talk about physical symptoms, such as feeling tired, rather than feelings, such as sadness, worthlessness or excessive guilt.

Some of the most common signs of depression in men include:

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    • Fatigue
    • Irritability and moodiness
    • Anger and aggression
    • Loss of interest in work or hobbies
    • Sleep difficulties
    • Alcohol or drug abuse
    • Excessive work or risky behavior

Some of the above are not just symptoms of depression, but also ways men deal with it.  Instead of asking for help, which many men perceive as weakness, men are more likely to deal with depression by drinking heavily or even committing suicide.

Here's the really BAD NEWS - WebMD states: Depression in men can have devastating consequences. The CDC reports that men in the U.S. are about four times more likely than women to commit suicide. A staggering 75% to 80% of all people who commit suicide in the U.S. are men. Though more women attempt suicide, more men are successful at actually ending their lives.

Here's the really GOOD NEWS - Research shows that more than 80% of people with depression get better with appropriate treatment, which includes counseling, sometimes combined with antidepressant medication.

If you're feeling a hopeless like the guys above, get some help just like they're doing.  When you get professional counseling you'll discover how to get things to change for the better.

Sources: WebMD, MedicineNet.com, National Institute of Mental Health.