| Depression is quite common
among men. Depression is a medical condition that affects 19 million
Americans each year. It is an equal opportunity illness, affecting all ages,
races, and economic groups, and both genders.
Men of any age can be stricken with depression,
although the risk increases as men get older. It is estimated that 40% of
men will suffer some degree of depression
between the ages of 40 and 60. Depressed men sometimes deny they have
problems because they are taught to “be strong,” and depression may be
misperceived as a weakness. However, depression is not a weakness; it is a
real disease, and it should not be left untreated. Remember, if you are a
man with depression, you are not alone. Help is available.
What is depression?
Everyone gets sad sometimes—a brief blue mood,
disappointments, grief after losing a loved one. Depression, though, is
different. Depression is not just a case of the blues; it is a serious
medical illness often caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Much
like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, depression is a disease that
requires medical treatment. Otherwise, depression can last months or, in
some cases, years.
If left untreated, depression can worsen the symptoms
of other illnesses, lead to disability, or increase the risk of suicide. The
suicide rate triples for men in midlife, and increases 7 times in men over
the age of 65. Having a history of depression makes the risk of suicide 78
times higher. Compared with depressed women, depressed men are more likely
to experience:
• Shame and fear of admitting “weakness”
• Impatience, irritability, and restlessness
• Anger and hostility toward family, friends, and others
• Alcohol abuse
• Lack of sleep
The symptoms of male depression are different from the
classic symptoms most of
us associate with depression. Men are more likely to act out their
unrecognized and
denied feelings of depression.
Some signs and symptoms of
depression
There are several signs and symptoms that can help a
healthcare provider determine if a man has depression. If you (or someone
you know) have had at least 5 of the following symptoms for most of the day,
nearly every day for more than 2 weeks, professional help should be sought:
• Feelings of sadness, depressed mood, and/or
irritability
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, such as hobbies or spending
time with
family/friends
• Changes in weight or appetite
• Changes in sleeping pattern—sleeping too much or not being able to sleep
at all
• Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
• Inability to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions
• Constant fatigue or loss of energy
• Restlessness or decreased activity
• Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death
Important note: if you or someone you know has
thoughts of suicide, seek professional help immediately through your
healthcare provider, or call 411 to get the phone number for the nearest
local suicide hotline.
What depression is not
Depression is not something to be ashamed of. Men need
to understand that telling loved ones or healthcare professionals about
symptoms of depression is not a sign of personal weakness or a character
flaw. “Toughing it out” in silence benefits nobody. In fact, telling people
that you are having symptoms of depression is an extremely important first
step to getting help...and getting better.
Some risk factors for depression in
men
• Family history of mood disorders
• Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol
• Personal past history of mood disorders
• Chronic health problems such as cancer, heart disease, or HIV
• Separation or divorce
• Decreased sexual potency
• Occupational stress
As a man enters midlife, more of these stressful
factors can potentially come into
play, leading to a greater risk for developing depression.
Good news: with proper treatment, more than 80% of people with depression
can improve. There are 2 main treatments for depression— counseling, also
called psychotherapy, and medication. For some men, either treatment may be
sufficient. For others, the most effective therapy is a combination of the 2
treatments. Counseling, or psychotherapy, is often called “talk” therapy,
and it comes in many
forms. Basically, psychotherapy is aimed at helping a person develop new
ways to
cope with problems and to identify and understand more about depression and
how to avoid it in the future. Psychotherapy may take place in individual,
group, or family sessions.The process may take some time before it is
effective.
Antidepressant medication works by helping to correct
the imbalance of certain
chemicals in the brain.These medications may take several weeks to be
effective, but they work well and are generally safe. There are 3 main
groups of antidepressants: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
tricyclics (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
SSRIs are the newest class of antidepressants.
They help to relieve the symptoms of depression by increasing the available
supply of serotonin, a substance in the brain believed to influence mood.
Fortunately, the side effects from many
antidepressant medications are generally mild and often go away over time.
For more information about side effects, talk with your healthcare provider.
In addition to therapy and medication, there are other things you can do
that may help you start feeling better, including: exercising regularly,
improving your diet, establishing a normal full-night sleeping schedule, and
reducing or eliminating caffeine and alcohol. For additional suggestions
about what you can do, talk with your healthcare provider.
If your physician does prescribe an
antidepressant for you
Be sure to tell him or her if you are taking any other
medications, including those
obtained over the counter. Follow all of your physician’s instructions about
how and when you should take your antidepressant medication. If you
experience side effects at any point while you are taking a medication
prescribed by your physician, contact him or her as soon as possible to
share this information. It is important to take your medication as long as
your physician instructs, even if you start feeling better. Otherwise your
depression could return or worsen. And remember, studies show most
antidepressants are not addictive, particularly the newer classes of
antidepressants such as SSRIs.
For more information about depression, you may contact the following
organizations:
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
1-800-421-4211 or http://www.nimh.nih.gov
National Mental Health Association
2001 North Beauregard Street, Floor 12
Alexandria,VA 22311-1732
1-800-969-NMHA or http://www.nmha.org
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington,VA 22201-3042
1-800-950-NAMI or http://www.nami.org
This information is provided as an educational service
by Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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