Male Depression Symptoms

We all feel sad or blue time and again, but for most of us the blues are gone often within a few days. But when a person is depressed the sadness interrupts everyday life. It interferes with normal activities. The challenge is depression affects not only the person who has it but the other people in the depressed person's life.

What Exactly Is Depression?

Medical research has shown depression is a disorder of the brain. It's not a weakness or character deficiency. When an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is done of depressed people's brains, the brain looks different. Parts of the brain which control mood, thought, sleep, appetite and behavior work differently. Unfortunately MRI's don't give the reason why depression happened.

In the media and in medical groups when depression is discussed it's most often about women and depression. When discussion goes to men and depression it goes to jokes and 'cute' sitcoms.

Symptoms of Depression Different In Men Than Women

When women are depressed they get sad, cry, or feel bad about themselves. Women seem less reluctant to find help and start treatment for their depression. But men show other symptoms.

Is your man showing any of these signs? More easily irritated and angry? Taking more risks? More aggressive and complaining about work? He may not be upset but depressed. Men show depression differently than women. In an article from John Hopkins, researchers are now saying men may suffer from depression as often as women.

Women are diagnosed twice as often as men. Men on the other hand don't seem to go for treatment of their depression as readily.

Is it a coincidence that men have a higher rate of suicide, in fact four times higher than women? Or that

depressed men, have an increased heart disease death rate. Depressed women don't have an increased death rate from heart disease.

Is it because men don't get treatment for their depression quickly like many women? Or is it they don't want to seem weak? Medical research believes men are less able to deal with life events like divorce, death of their partner, or job loss than women.

Depression has many causes. Brain chemical levels can be a factor. Certain types of depression seem to run in families so heredity definitely plays a role. Environmental, and psychological factors can also trigger depression.

Here are some suggestions you can use to help your man from the National Institute of Health:

· Offer emotional support, understanding, patience and encouragement.

· Engage your man in conversation, and listen carefully.

· Never disparage feelings man expresses, but point out realities and offer hope.

· Never ignore comments about suicide, and report them to your man's therapist or doctor.

· Invite your man's out for walks, outings and other activities. Keep trying if he declines, but don't push him

to take on too much too soon. Although diversions and company are needed, too many demands may increase feelings of failure. Remind youur man that with time and treatment, the depression will lift.

Good news is depression can be treated successfully. It's not a weakness but a brain disorder. Treatment can be through medications to balance the chemicals or a wide variety of therapy treatments. If you can remind your guy getting help is not a sign of weakness or disgrace, or decreases his masculinity it may be easier to have him get help.