Understanding Depression in Men: Signs, Challenges, and Paths to Healing
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Why Look at Men’s Mental Health Specifically?
According to the American Psychological Association, around 30% of men in the United States have suffered from a period of depression within their lifetimes. However, men are less likely to be diagnosed with depression, while also being four times as likely to die due to suicide. These discrepancies in men’s mental health need to be addressed by the mental health field. They can be addressed in people’s day-to-day lives, by highlighting why men’s mental health takes a backseat and the importance of men getting treatment for depression. The societal stigma surrounding men expressing vulnerability often prevents them from seeking the help they need. This can lead to untreated mental health issues and tragic outcomes. This blog post aims to shed some light on the unique aspects of depression in men, the signs to look out for, the challenges they face, and ways to get help. By increasing awareness and understanding, we can better support men in overcoming these barriers and encourage a healthier approach to mental well-being.
The Prevalence of Depression in Men
As mentioned above, it is relatively common for men to experience depression. However, social myths such as “men don’t get depressed” or “depression is a sign of weakness” perpetuate some of the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, making it difficult for men to speak openly about their struggles. If you’re concerned about a man in your life, it may be valuable to ask them how this social dynamic impacts them. You may ask how their emotions were treated when they were children—were they given space to cry when they were sad? Were they taught how to regulate their emotions, or were they forced to repress them? Opening the door to these conversations can help men find room to share their emotional struggles, whether that includes depression or not.
Recognizing the Signs of Depression in Men
Symptoms of depression do not differ significantly between men and women, but they may manifest differently due to the things that are seen as “socially acceptable” altering depending on one’s gender identity. Common symptoms of depression in general include things like persistent sadness, lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy, and incessant fatigue. Men are more likely than women to show their depression through irritability, anger, reckless behavior, and physical symptoms (i.e. aches and pains). These differences show up because we are more likely to accept men who display anger or reckless behavior than men who show consistent sadness. Additionally, physical symptoms may be easier for men to discuss openly than some of their emotional symptoms. If you notice a man in your life regularly complaining of headaches, stomachaches, or back pain, it could be a sign of depression.
The Challenges Men Face in Addressing Depression
Cultural and Societal Pressures
Social norms and attitudes about masculinity can make it difficult for men to seek out help for their mental health. This can be impacted by the individual’s cultural and familial identities. For example, the experience of the oldest son who was raised within a collectivist culture would be different from the experience of a middle son who was raised within an individualistic culture. These experiences can change the way each of these people approach their own mental health, including their likelihood to discuss those feelings with others. It takes a lot of strength and bravery for men to seek help, given all of the social messaging telling them they should not.
Stigma and Shame
The messaging we see in society is quickly brought into young lives. For example, many parents may unintentionally reinforce these gender roles with their children. They may talk to young girls about their emotions but will assume that young boys do not need the same treatment. This can cause young men to believe they should not pay much attention to their emotional needs. A man who has spent his entire life hearing that “men don’t cry” may struggle to share emotions openly for fear of shame. This can result in the individual deflecting when asked about their mental health. For example, if you were to ask them how they were handling their recent break-up, they may change the subject or make a joke to avoid engaging in an emotional conversation. This can make it difficult to see when your friend is struggling.
Barriers to Treatment
There are lots of barriers to mental health treatment, including the internal fear of judgment. If someone shares this fear, it is important to remind them that therapists are trained to be non-judgmental. It is possible for someone to become invested in your problems, your worldview, and your emotions without judging you.
Additional barriers may include difficulty finding time to go to therapy or struggling to financially support the need for therapy, especially if this person does not have insurance or if their insurance does not extend to mental health treatment. In these cases, people may give up on trying before consulting other options, such as meditation. It is also possible that men will use these barriers as reasons to delay seeking help because they are afraid of the stigma associated with therapy. Be patient with your loved ones and see if you can encourage alternative treatment options for now.
Effective Treatment Options for Men
Therapy
Therapy can be a very effective treatment option for individuals struggling with depression. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) in particular has been linked with effective treatment for depression, and it may be a great option for men struggling with depression because of its ability to be tailored to the client’s needs. The framework would offer a lot of space for men to discuss the role of stigma in their mental health. Additionally, CBT is meant to be a short-term treatment option, which could be helpful for someone who is entering a therapeutic space with a lot of shame and doubt.
Medication
Medication is also an option for men struggling with depression. If you’re interested in seeking out antidepressants, you could consult your medical doctor to help you find a psychiatrist. It is important to understand the medical guidance associated with antidepressants. For many people, medication is more effective when paired with CBT. You could discuss this option with a psychiatrist, therapist, or medical doctor, all of whom would be able to help you assess the best treatment plan.
Lifestyle Changes
Depression is often worsened by poor sleep habits, lack of exercise, and poor diet. If someone is resistant to the idea of therapy, these may be good places to start. You could try to set a more consistent sleep and wake time, which tends to help people feel more rested over time. Additionally, it can be a good idea to explore movement options that leave you feeling strong and confident. Finally, it could be wise to seek out a dietitian who could talk to you about the relationship between diet and mood.
Support Networks
Support tends to be very important in helping men work through their depression. It’s important to open up to the people around you because they are likely to want to help you. This could include friends, support groups, family members, neighbors, or co-workers. You can decide how much to share with each person, but, having a handful of people you’re open and honest with can be very helpful in allowing you to work through your emotions.
Conclusion
Depression in men is highly stigmatized, but it is important to maintain awareness knowing how many men are struggling in silence. For men, it is common to show anger, impulsiveness, and aches and pains as leading symptoms, as these are more socially acceptable than persistent sadness. It is important for men to feel encouraged to seek help that they may need, including therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and support networks. Trust Mental Health offers depression treatment in California. Our therapists are able to provide a non-judgmental space for men to open up about their mental health concerns. You can book a free fifteen-minute consultation today. Our team is here to support you.
Key Points
Around 30% of men in the U.S. have experienced depression, yet they are less likely to be diagnosed and more likely to die by suicide. This highlights the significant impact of societal stigma, which prevents men from seeking help and discussing their mental health issues openly.
Depression in men often manifests through irritability, anger, reckless behavior, and physical symptoms rather than persistent sadness. Men face cultural, societal, and internalized pressures that discourage them from expressing vulnerability and seeking treatment, leading to untreated mental health issues and tragic outcomes.
Addressing men’s depression involves various approaches, including therapy (particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), medication, lifestyle changes, and building strong support networks. Encouraging men to explore these options can help them overcome the stigma and barriers to seeking help, ultimately improving their mental well-being.
FAQs
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Family and friends can offer support by listening without judgment, encouraging professional help, being patient and understanding, and helping with everyday tasks. Educating themselves about depression can also make them more effective in providing support.
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Societal expectations that men should be strong, self-reliant, and unemotional can make it difficult for men to acknowledge their depression and seek help. These pressures can lead to feelings of shame and reluctance to express vulnerability.
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Men are more likely to exhibit symptoms like irritability, anger, and risk-taking behaviors, whereas women may express more overt sadness and emotional withdrawal. Men might also somatize their depression, experiencing more physical symptoms such as aches and pains.