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Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Men Men who are experiencing depression are less likely to seek help and their symptoms are usually harder to spot than in women. Men are conditioned to suppress their emotions and adhere strictly to “masculine norms” which can make it difficult to express their feelings. Encourage the male friend or family member who is suffering from depression to seek treatment. Here are a few signs of depression in men: 1. Loss of interest in activities A sudden decrease in interest in activities that typically make you happy can be an indication that depression is present. You might notice that you no longer enjoy certain activities, are tired frequently or sleep is disrupted. It's normal for your interests to change over time however if you're unable to enjoy any activity, it's essential to seek assistance. Depression can influence your appetite, making it difficult to eat, and can even cause weight loss or an increase. Men tend to hide their emotions more than women and might not even be aware of depression symptoms. They are less likely to seek out mental health treatment because of the stigma associated with it. It is important to encourage your male family member or friend to visit his GP to be diagnosed and treated. While depression can strike at any time for both genders but it is most prevalent during midlife. This could be due to a myriad of factors, including changes in health or physical ailments. It could be a result of stressors in relationships. Men are more likely to experience feelings of sadness, failure, and grief in response to disappointments. They might then drink heavily, abuse drugs, or gamble compulsively to cope with their emotions. This can cause physical issues like headaches, back pain and digestive issues, and emotional issues like irritability or anger. It could also lead to reckless behavior, such as engaging in dangerous sports or driving recklessly. It is also normal for males to be abusive or aggressive in order to hide or coping with their emotions. This is known as toxic masculinity and it could be an indication of depression. 2. Difficulty concentrating If you notice that someone you know is having trouble in concentrating or seems to be easily distracted, this could be an indication of depression. In addition to causing difficulty in retaining and learning and affecting how someone interacts with others and they may be less able to communicate in a healthy way or be able to listen to the needs of others. Men are more reluctant to seek help than women with depression. This can be due many reasons. A belief system that says men should be able to control their emotions, for instance, can lead them to mask depression symptoms by acting out or resorting to alcohol and other drugs as unhealthy ways to deal with. Men are often reluctant to talk about their feelings. This can also delay treatment. Despite the fact that depression symptoms are different from women's symptoms they are both treated in a similar way by psychologists and other mental health professionals. As awareness of the differences between depression symptoms for men increases and more psychologists are breaking down treatments and research efforts in order to address gender-specific symptoms. Men are at a higher risk of post-trauma depressive disorders (such as illness, injuries or the loss of a loved one, or combat) and, consequently, require greater attention and intensive care. And, because men are more likely to experience physical traumas, they are at a higher chance of developing depression in response to these events. If you are concerned that someone close to him or her is suffering from depression should encourage them to seek professional help. It's also important to remember that the longer depression is untreated, the more serious and damaging it could be. 3. Anxiety Men who experience depression can also be extremely anxious. This is due to the fact that they may not be able to manage their emotions and are more likely to feel that there's something wrong with them. This can often be a sign of someone contemplating suicide. It is crucial to seek urgent help if someone you love is experiencing this. You can contact a crisis counselor by dialing 911, the emergency number or texting TALK 741 1741. Everyone experiences anxiety at one time in their lives. If your symptoms persist and are affecting your daily routine it is recommended that you seek help. A doctor can prescribe medication or other treatments to help manage your symptoms. People may find it difficult to identify depression in men due to the symptoms and signs differ from those experienced by women. For example, a woman may express sadness and feelings of hopelessness and men might become angry or irritable. Additionally, men are more likely to resort to alcohol and other drugs to deal with their issues than women. This is because men often try to mask their depression to adhere to gender stereotypes. It is important that people recognize the symptoms of depression in men so that they can seek assistance. Although recent discussions about mental health have been more inclusive and open but it's still a challenge for many men to express their feelings in a culture that upholds traditional views of masculinity. This makes them less likely to seek treatment and is a major reason why primary care doctors do not recognize depression in males just half as often as they do in women. 4. Feelings of hopelessness People can feel depressed in the event that they aren't sure how to improve and don't seek assistance. This is a common coping strategy however it could be damaging in the long term. The longer a person goes without seeking treatment the more severe his symptoms will become. Depression can affect all aspects of his life including relationships, work and health. Men who feel hopeless are more likely to engage in suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you know someone who is experiencing these thoughts, speak to him in a non-judgmental way and offer your support. You can also encourage him to seek assistance from a mental health professional or any other reliable source. You could also refer him to a men's group or contact the suicide crisis hotline. It is usually more comfortable for women than men to discuss their emotional concerns and this could be the reason why depression is underdiagnosed for males. Some men think that seeking out mental health treatment isn't “manly.” Others may be concerned that they might be treated differently by colleagues or their friends when they seek help. In addition to feeling depressed, people with depression might experience physical symptoms such as headaches, pains and aches or digestive problems. These symptoms may be an indication of depression, or a sign of another health issue, like diabetes or heart disease. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist. He might suggest medication, counseling or other treatments to reduce symptoms and treat depression. The treatments are electroconvulsive (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation. He can also suggest changes in lifestyle such as exercise, changes in sleep and healthy eating habits. 5. Anger A man who gets angry easily, is short-tempered or irritable may be experiencing depression. This can manifest in many ways, from road-rage to angry outbursts both at work and home. Men with depression may have difficulty controlling their anger and anxiety. This could lead to substance abuse and family problems and a lack of ability to complete daily tasks. While depression can affect anyone of any age group, depression in men tends to peak in midlife due to a number of factors that include physical and health changes, relationship stress and job-related challenges. Men are also affected by traumatic events like combat in the military, childhood trauma or an natural disaster. People who suffer from depression usually have an internalized perception of the world, which can lead to feelings of ineptitude towards others, as well as increased levels of anger and irritability. People who are depressed might also report a decreased libido, or a sense of discontent with their sexual relationships. Researchers have discovered that there is a lot of variation in the way men feel about anger and depression. In fact, one study revealed that latent classes were formed which distinguished men based on their levels of internalized depressive symptoms and externalized anger. Men suffering with depression can benefit from finding the negative thoughts patterns that fuel their anger and then re-examining them. By challenging and looking at these negative beliefs, people can begin to take control of their own actions and behaviors and stop feeling helpless and being a victim of others. This can also result in an unbiased perspective and help to reduce the symptoms of depression. Talk therapy is an excellent method to begin this process. Experts suggest that even the most skeptical men can feel relief by expressing their feelings to the therapy.