Men are seen as strong beings. They are also expected to stay in control of their emotions. It has become a norm for men to withhold strong emotions such as sadness and despair, to the point that you seldom see a man crying. Unfortunately, some people still see crying as a sign of weakness. This is also the reason why many men refuse to seek help for depression.
According to studies, women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. However, this may be due to the fact that men are less open to admitting that they might be dealing with the condition. They try to hide their despair and mask it through aggression. Many also turn to substance abuse.
Depression in men can be triggered by a lot of factors and situations, such as family problems and job loss. Physical health issues, such as lack of sleep and chronic pains and illnesses, can also lead to depression.
It is unfortunate that depression in men tends to get overlooked and misunderstood as many patients find it difficult to talk to someone about their feelings and problems. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the things you probably didn’t know about depression in men.
- Depression can manifest through physical pain.
Men naturally show emotions differently than women. They cry less, if at all. They also keep mum about their sadness. Because of this, depression tends to manifest itself physically.
It is common for depression in men to show up through physical symptoms. These include unexplained body pains, such as backache, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain. A patient may also experience digestive problems including acid reflux.
When these physical symptoms do not respond to medical treatment or go back from time to time, it is highly possible that they are caused by depression.
- Anger and reckless behavior are symptoms of depression.
Men who suffer from depression tend to mask their true feelings by displaying anger and aggressiveness. They may do this consciously or unconsciously. Men suffering from depression might think that showing anger and arrogance makes them appear strong, hiding the weakness and helplessness that they truly feel inside.
If you find yourself responding to problems with anger and aggression more often than normal, you might have depression. The same goes for participating in reckless activities, such as gambling and drug abuse.
- Wanting to drink too much alcohol may signify depression.
It is typical for people to drink whenever they’re feeling sad. However, if you do it too much to the point of dependency or addiction, it should be considered a reason for concern. Alcoholism is another problem on its own, but it usually roots from depression. Men, especially, may turn to drinking alcohol as they believe getting drunk lets them forget about their problems temporarily.
- Childhood abuse or trauma can cause depression during adulthood.
Most men who suffer from depression in adulthood have experienced abuse or trauma during their childhood. If you experience or notice symptoms of depression, it can help to get to the root of the problem by addressing repressed trauma.
- Sexual issues, such as erectile dysfunction, can cause depression and may be caused by depression itself.
Sexual function problems including erectile dysfunction serve as both cause and effect of depression. Physical health problems, for instance, can cause sexual health issues. These can then make a man feel helpless and ashamed, and later become depressed. Alternatively, a man suffering from depression may go through problems in different areas, including their sexual life. This is because depression can make someone feel useless or insufficient, affecting the way their body functions in general.
- Depression in men is treatable.
The most important thing you should know about depression is men is that it is treatable. However, you first need to recognize the possibility that you might be depressed. When you do this, it will be easier for you to seek help and support either from loved ones or a mental health professional, or both.
Once you talk to someone about your issues, you are on your way to seeking the most effective course of treatment for your situation. The key is to be diagnosed properly and follow what the mental health professional advises you to do.
