Depression: How to Read the Signs of Depression

Depression in any form is a serious major mental illness that should never be dismissed as just another temporary mood swing, because it’s not. Depression is very serious, and if left untreated can become very deadly. Let us begin with male depression, yes I said male depression.

Male depression, just like depression in females, is a serious medical condition. Most men, that I know of, try to be all macho and tough out this condition on their own. But what they may not realize is that the symptoms of depression can make them chronically miserable. For men some of the ways that they cope with depression is as follows: working all of the time, drinking too much alcohol, using street drugs, seeking thrills from risky behaviours such as reckless driving, risky sex practices, or even shutting themselves off from the world all together. These may keep male depression at bay for a little while, but in the end the depression (if not treated) can come back even worse than before. And unfortunately men with depression have an extremely higher risk, than women, of suicide.

Take note of the following symptoms for future reference.

Both men and women have some common symptoms of depression including feeling down in the dumps, sleeping poorly, feeling sad, feeling guilty, and feeling worthless. Although men with depression do not cry as often as women do. Other symptoms of male depression can often include: anger and frustration, violent behaviours, losing weight without trying, taking risks such as reckless driving and extramarital affairs/sex, loss of concentration, isolating themselves from family and friends, avoiding all activities that they once found pleasurable, fatigue, loss of interests in things such as work, favourite hobbies, and sex. They can also turn to alcohol and/or substance abuse, misuse of prescription medications, and unfortunately thoughts of suicide (even if they claim that they were just kidding, take it seriously and attempt to find help for them as soon as possible!!).

There are also some symptoms that men are not often aware of when it comes to depression like: headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain can also be known symptoms.

Job stress is commonly known to be a major trigger when it comes to depression in men. The precise cause of depression in men, or women, is not quite known. It is believed that depression is a combination of genetics, thought process and social environment. Everyone is susceptible to depression, no one is immune, in the event of a major life stress situations. Some job characteristics that can be associated with male depression include, but are not limited to: lack of control over responsibilities, unreasonable demands for performance from a boss or co-workers, conflicts with said bosses and co-workers, lack of job security, night-shift work, excessive overtime whether volunteered or mandatory, pay not reflecting the level of job responsibility.

When male depression goes untreated one can deny the symptoms by engaging in activities that can be potentially life threatening. Also when left untreated depression can disrupt ones life leaving them chronically miserable and unhappy. They can also engage in extremely dangerous sexual behaviours like switching partners on a whim (when you get tired of one woman you move onto the next woman waiting in line). Depression can also increase the risk of divorce (if left untreated), and it increases your children’s risk of developing depression themselves.

Although women are twice as likely to have depression, men are four times as likely to suffer its worst consequences…suicide. Beginning in adolescence men are more likely, than women, to take their own lives. Please remember that it takes a man an average of just twelve months to go from contemplating suicide to attempting suicide, for women it’s about forty-two months. Because of the time frame (for men) family and mental health professionals may have very little chance to recognize a man’s depression and intervene before it is too late.

I, myself, was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder over ten years ago, and for me it’s going to be a life long battle with depression. I am on medication that I can never come off of. So if you, or someone you know,  is considering suicide (even jokingly) seek help from a doctor, it does not necessarily have to be your doctor, go to the nearest hospital emergency room or emergency services (911).

For immediate help call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

To reach a 24 hour crisis center call: 1(800)273-TALK(8255)

For More information contact:

Mental Health America, 2000 N. Beauregard Street 6th Floor, Alexandria, Va. 22311.

Phone:1(703)684-7722. Fax:1(703)684-5968. Toll Free:1(800)969-6642. TTY Line:800/433-5959