Depression in Men
By: Reckless AlterTotal Views: 185, Word Count: 585,
Depression in men is a general illness. On an average, one in six men would experience depression in their lifetime; still depression in men is often not recognized. If not detected, depression cannot be treated and could become severe and disabling
Depression affects both women and men, but what they experience and how they respond is quite often different. Men tend to focus on the physical symptoms such as losing weight or feeling tired. They are also more likely to say that they feel angry or ill-tempered instead of saying they feel low.
Men are also less likely than women to speak about their moods or how they feel psychologically. This is one of the reasons why their depression is often not picked up by themselves or by others including their doctors. It’s very significant that more people learn to identify depression in men.
Sexual Desire and Performance
Depression in men could affect their sexual desire and performance. Sadly, some antidepressants like SSRIs could do the same. Frequently, men are unwilling to admit to problems with their sexuality. Many of them have a misunderstanding that this problem is related to their manhood, when in fact it’s caused by a medical problem such a clinical depression.
Symptoms of Depression
Symptoms of depression are not as well implicit in men as they are in women. Men are less likely to show typical signs of depression such as sadness, crying and loss of interest in formerly pleasurable activities or orally expressing thoughts of suicide. Depression in men might cause them to keep their feelings hidden. Rather than expressing the depressed mood, they could become more irritable and hostile.
For these reasons, several men as well as doctors and other health care professionals fail to identify the problem as depression. Some mental health professionals recommend that if the symptoms of depression were prolonged to include blame, anger, lashing out and abuse of alcohol, more men might be diagnosed with depression and treated suitably.
Causes of Depression
Factors which can contribute to depression in men include:
- Using drugs and alcohol and physical health problems
- Relationship and employment problems
- Social isolation and significant change in living arrangements (for example divorce or separation).
Treatment
Depression is treatable. Different types of depression require different approaches. These might range from physical exercise (to prevent and treat mild depression) to psychological treatments or drug treatments (or both) for restrained or severe depression. It’s vital to seek help early. A doctor would be able to tell if you or the other people you are concerned about are depressed. They would be able to assist you or refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for professional mental health treatment.
Different Treatments for Depression
Psychological Treatments: These treatments help you in looking at the issues in your life that could be leading to or causing depression. Various approaches might be used; for example, the therapist might help you to look at how you think about issues in your life and help you explore new ways to see these things.
Medications: Psychological treatments might not be enough for severe depression; medication might be essential as well. Antidepressants take quite a few weeks to have their full effect and you must never stop taking them without seeing your doctor.
About the Author
Dr. Reckless Alter is graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine as a physician in 1969 and went on to earn his medical degree in 1973. For over 25 years he has been a pioneer in the field of surgery, with a special focus on wellness medicine and hormones for men. Dr. Reckless is currently a board-certified Family Practitioner and a precautionary Medicine specialist. He has helped heal many problems of men through his treatment.
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