Men and depression
The depressive brain
The depressive brain is structurally different compared to a non-depresssive brain. And it seems to run in the family. This is reported by scientists at Columbia University. Those with a family history of depression have brains which are, on average, 28% thinner in the area of the right cortex compared to those with out familial history of depression.
Men and depression
Men with depression typically have a higher rate of feeling irritable, angry and discouraged, which can make it harder to recognize depression in men. The rate of completed suicide in men is four times that of women, though more women attempt it.
Some depressed men become become irritable, angry and even combative co-workers and family members. Others withdraw from their loved ones and social circles altogether. Still others act irresponsibly taking up gambling and or self-medicating with alcohol, drugs and extra-relational sex. There also those who switch hit back and forth displaying one behavior today and another tomorrow.
Many men suffering from depression are grieving. They are grieving losses that may be financial, emotional, psychological and emotionally tied to job loss and status loss.
Depression can trigger suicide
Although the majority of people with depression do not die by suicide, having depression does increase suicide risk compared to people without depression. Sometimes depression can cause people to feel like putting themselves in harm’s way, or killing themselves.
Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all U.S. men according to National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Young men and older men are particularly vulnerable groups. The suicide rate peaks in men between the ages of 20-24, which if isolated from the general statistics on suicide, places suicide as the 3rd ranking cause of death. Older people suffer from the loss of loved one’s and friends and can feel isolated, ignored, valueless, or overly dependent on others. In the USA, the leading method of suicide is by firearms whereas in the UK where guns are illegal, exhaust fumes, hanging and overdoses are most commonly employed.
Risk factors for suicide
The most common risk factors are:
Symptoms
The main symptom of depression is a sad, despairing mood that:
- is present most days and lasts most of the day
- lasts for more than two weeks
- impairs the person’s performance at work, at school or in social relationships.
Other symptoms of depression may include:
- changes in appetite and weight
- sleep problems
- loss of interest in work, hobbies, people or sex
- withdrawal from family members and friends
- feeling useless, hopeless, excessively guilty, pessimistic or low self-esteem
- agitation or feeling slowed down
- irritability
- fatigue
- trouble concentrating, remembering and making decisions
- crying easily, or feeling like crying but being not able to
- thoughts of suicide (which should always be taken seriously)
- a loss of touch with reality, hearing voices (hallucinations) or having strange ideas (delusions).
What to do about depression
Anyone suffering from depression symptoms for more that two weeks as described above should seek out their physician and work with him or her to develop an effective treatment program.
The most commonly used treatments are pharmacotherapy (medications), psychoeducation, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy. These treatments may be used individually or in combination.
Self-help organizations, run by clients of the mental health system and their families, can be an important part of treatment and recovery for people with depression and their families too.
Coping strategies
Here are some useful ways to make the transition from depression back to mental health:
- Seek out caring people. Find relatives and friends who can understand your feelings of loss. Join support groups with others who are experiencing similar losses.
- Express your feelings. Tell others how you are feeling; it will help you to work through the grieving process.
- Take care of your health. Maintain regular contact with your family physician and be sure to eat well and get plenty of rest. Be aware of the danger of developing a dependence on medication or alcohol to deal with your grief.
- Accept that life is for the living. It takes effort to begin to live again in the present and not dwell on the past.
- Postpone major life changes. Try to hold off on making any major changes, such as moving, remarrying, changing jobs or having another child. You should give yourself time to adjust to your loss.
- Be patient. It can take months or even years to absorb a major loss and accept your changed life.
- Seek outside help when necessary If your grief seems like it is too much to bear, seek professional assistance to help work through your issues. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness, to seek help.
- Daily affirmations, music and humor can all be helpful mood elevators.
References:
The depressive brain: it’s in the family
The Best Diet for those with Depression
The benefits of regular exercise have also been shown to help battle depression, as well.
Lanas last blog post..My Town Monday; Backyard Birds
@Lana
I agree that exercise is a great help.
As a man who’s struggled with depression for most of my life, I’ve found that simply recognizing depression for what it can make a huge difference. One aspect of depression that makes it so incredibly dangerous is that so many sufferers don’t realize that they’re depressed, as I didn’t for many years. Thus, it simply appears that one’s life sucks and the world is an utterly miserable and hopeless place. Once I learned to see the overwhelming feelings of hopelessness as depression rather than a true reflection of my life and world, I began to be able to separate myself from it, look and it, and begin to deal with it.
YogaforCynicss last blog post..The Dhamma Brothers (Kind of a Movie Review #8)
@yoga for cynics
One aspect of depression that makes it so incredibly dangerous is that so many sufferers don’t realize that they’re depressed, as I didn’t for many years.
I accidentally clicked the publish button on this post before I inserted the whole section I had completed for the beginning of it. By the time I came back to this post and realized what I had done Google spiders had already indexed it and so had Technorati spiders, so I decided not to edit and include it.
Last year I lost a very dear male friend to suicide. He struggled with depression for years. We both did and it was more than our mutual suffering that bonded us as friends. We enjoyed so many of the same things and we became quite adept at being their for each other. I got busy and didn’t perceive how down he really was. I didn’t hear a cry for help and one day I woke up and he was gone.
I found that the first anniversary of his suicide was a really hard time for me. I slid into the pit of despair and spent days crying before I came to my senses and mobilized again.
Depression is such an ingrained part of my father’s life (and his father’s, not that my grandfather would have ever admitted to being depressed; he identified it with weakness). I really cannot imagine my father without it — and chances are that he can’t either. Thank you for highlighting this issue.
By the way, I tried to leave a comment on your last post, but something very strange happened with my connection and all was lost.
I hope you are well, timethief.
Jennifers last blog post..Not that kind of blog
@Jennifer
I’d be telling a tall tale if I said I was well. I’m not. I’m enduring a fibromyalgia flare-up that has gone on for so many weeks that I have lost count of them. I’m trying valiantly to remain active and above it all, but I slid down into the pit of despair and began the tedious climb up to the top again.
I’m sorry you lost your comment. It really bugs me when that happens so lately I’ve been composing mine offline and copy pasting them into comment boxes to avoid the experience of losing them.
Great Post.
Depression is something that i battle often. I don’t know how long it lasts and how it comes.
I think i need some medications too.
I’m not included in the suicide list :D
@Doson
As you can see from the statistics I included in this article depression is a serious disease. Don’t deny yourself medical attention. See a doctor soon and do what you have to do to establish the correct chemical balance.
Very informative and well-put together. Thanks for the read, TT.
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You’re welcome. I’ll be visiting your blog in just a few moments.
My father is very depressed man i think. Since I was a kid I always see him drunk and coming from work loud and sometimes hitting me and my big brother. And yes, he can easily turn anyone into a punching bag and never feel remorse doing it. Now I’m in my adulthood I asked him why he’s too violent and alcoholic eversince and until now. He said that when he was a teenager, some gangs of men cornered him and knocked him to the ground. Could it be a depression too brought from traumatic experience? Now he’s in his late 60’s, separated from my mother, still a drunkard and doing punching-free…can it still be called depression or misery? I am not in speaking terms with him, he never listens anyway.
cels last blog post..La Ignorancia no es una Excusa (Ignorance is not an Excuse)
@cels
I apologize for taking so long to reply to this comment. Somehow I approved it and then lost track of it.
I’m not a professional and I’m not in a position to speculate on your father’s depression. I’m sorry to hear his life is so bad and that you are estranged.
At the outset of the post above you will find a link to a scientific study. Depression is a disease with a genetic component. Researchers have found that those with a family history of depression have brains which are, on average, 28% thinner in the area of the right cortex compared to those with out familial history of depression.
Nice post Time thief
In today’s society it isn’t hard for people to become depressed due to the current economy, especially men.
Some men actually talk themselves into a depressed state, simply by constantly thinking negative thoughts.
Some even look for others to blame for the perceived loss or failure.
Learn from your experiences and move forward, life is to short to dwell in the past.
Regardless of what happens in your life be part of the solution, not the problem!
Kiefers last blog post..Make exercise your lifetime goal
Hi Kiefer,
Thanks so much for posting that very sensible advice. :)