Depression in Men …
Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Many men struggle with depression throughout their lives, which can affect them in several debilitating ways. Some men hesitate to talk about their feelings or seek help, which can result in their depression getting worse as time goes by. This struggle to express what they are going through may be due to their belief that depression is a sign of weakness or that they should “be a man”; thus, some of them cope by downplaying their problem or by covering it up.
For any man in this situation, it’s essential to understand that depression is a treatable mental illness and that there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of in reaching out and accepting professional help.
Signs of Depression in Men
There are many symptoms of depression which both men and women experience. Some of the common ones include the following:
- Intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness
- Anger and irritability
- Anxiety
- Chronic fatigue and feeling tired all the time
- Isolating oneself from family and friends
However, some symptoms of depression are more commonly experienced by men than women, such as the following:
- Headaches or stomach aches
- Anger and agitation
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Substance abuse
- Loss of interest in their family or hobbies
- Reckless behaviours such as dangerous driving
- Working obsessively
- Controlling or abusive behaviours in relationships
According to statistics from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), men are around three times more likely to commit suicide compared to women, and depression is the main reason for this. If you’re in a mental health crisis right now or know someone who is, it’s critical to seek help immediately.
What Causes Depression in Men?
The causes of depression can differ between men and women. However, many of the most common ones are experienced by both genders. Possible causes of depression include the following:
Difficult life events
A life event such as divorce, job loss or bereavement can become overwhelming and, at times, become a catalyst for depression. The low mood you might experience as a result of a difficult life event can quickly develop into depression, especially if you don’t have the support that you need.
Family or personal history
Scientific research has proven that genetics plays a role in the likelihood of depression developing in an individual. Those with a close relative, such as a parent or a sibling, who has had depression are predisposed to developing it themselves. There is no single depression gene, but it’s more likely a combination of multiple genes and the influence of environmental factors that contribute to the development of depression.
Abuse
Physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, and negative childhood experiences are commonly identified as factors that lead to depression. Having gone through such experiences in childhood, you were not able to develop coping strategies to address the negative emotions, thereby causing you to experience mental health issues as an adult.
Alcohol consumption
Depression in men is commonly linked to excessive drinking. Consuming too much alcohol can affect your relationships and work, which in turn can cause depression. Guidelines recommend alcohol intake should be no more than 12 units of alcohol and at least three alcohol-free days per week. Simply put, no more than two to three drinks three to four times per week.
Alcohol possesses chemical properties known to contribute to depression. You might start drinking as a form of self-medication to deal with symptoms of depression. However, doing this regularly will get the opposite effect – worsening the symptoms.
For individuals who are not dependent on alcohol, excessive drinking can lead to depression; therefore, it is recommended that one should not drink more than 12 units of alcohol per week and have at least three alcohol-free days per week.
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Personality traits
If you are someone who identifies with the following:
- Has low self-esteem
- Is especially anxious
- Is a perfectionist
- Is very self-critical
then you possess the personality traits that make you more vulnerable to depression.
Physical health
Chronic or debilitating physical health problems can also lead to depression. Physical health problems can make you unhappy if your condition has altered or limited how you live. Suffering from chronic pain may also cause you to be resentful, which might negatively affect your sleep and your relationships with others.
These issues can easily result in been a cause of depression if you don’t get the relief or professional support that you need.
How to Help a Man with Depression
If you are concerned that someone you know is struggling with depression, here are some things you can do to help:
Learn as much as you can about depression
Educate yourself as much about the topic as possible; with a better understanding of their situation, you can offer genuine support.
Open the conversation
Try to engage in a conversation with your loved one about his depression, encouraging him to talk openly and truthfully about how he’s feeling. Keep in mind the following:
- Be attentive to listen to his thoughts
- Support and invite him to share his emotions with you
- Don’t criticise, judge, or make assumptions
- Assure him that depression is a medical condition, not a sign of weakness
Talking to someone about their depression is a challenging task, so make sure the conversation is focused on your concerns and not about him to keep him from becoming defensive. For example, you can say things like, “I’m concerned about your behaviour” or “I’d like to know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Keep track of any signs and symptoms
In addition to those mentioned above, you can also encourage and assist your loved one to monitor his symptoms, including what they are, when they occur, and triggers, if any.
Being aware of these patterns and helping your loved ones be able to identify them as well, you can better support him in dealing with his challenging emotions and learn to know when he is experiencing an especially tough time.
Encourage them
Motivate him to seek help for his depression. You could offer to contact his GP and set an appointment on his behalf, then accompany him to provide moral support. You may also want to research treatment options that can help your loved one. Ultimately, reassure him that seeking help is nothing to be ashamed of and that you’re willing to be there for him if he wants you to be.
Every day, encourage him to continue doing things that make him happy and eat well. Be with him when he attends social events and make sure he pursues his hobbies. These little things may not seem like a lot, but they are great mood boosters that work wonderfully in the day-to-day management of depression.
Treatment for Men with Depression
Treatment options for depression are the same for men and women. The best course of treatment will be decided by both the patient and the medical professional helping them.
Common depression treatments include:
- Treatment programmes such as inpatient stays or day care
- One-to-one and group therapy
- Medication
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, there are treatment options available that can help you steer your life back in the right direction. Treatment can help you deal with your symptoms and their root causes, establishing the foundation that will help you move on towards a fulfilling life.
Consider consulting your GP about your symptoms to understand your mental state and receive professional medical advice and obtain an initial diagnosis. We treat men who are suffering from depression every day, helping them recover from their mental health problems and providing them with the tools to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Providing depression treatment are our teams of experienced mental health specialists who are the best in the industry. Our treatment options include inpatient stays, weekly therapy visits to our treatment facilities with sessions adapted to your daily life and work schedule, and online therapy, where you have your sessions in the comfort of your own home. If, like a lot of men, your depression symptoms are due to excessive drinking, it may be more appropriate in your case to be treated for alcohol addiction to uncover the root cause of your mental health issues.
Whichever treatment best fits your circumstances, give us a call and talk to a highly trained mental health professional. Through collaborative effort, you and our depression specialists can outline the most appropriate course of treatment that will help you get back on track.
FREE Depression Assessment
If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, there is hope and healing for you. You can receive treatment as an outpatient or inpatient and through one-on-one or support group therapy. We understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help and support.
We design personalised treatment plans that meet an individual’s unique needs and circumstances. We will work together to address your symptoms, help you develop coping strategies and enable you to live life to the full in a healthy and positive manner.
We also have a young people’s service which provides specialist depression treatment exclusively for adolescents and young people.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free depression assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to support – with no pressure or judgement.
Professional and compassionate help is just a phone call or click away.
