Male Depression DC

In college, I knew a fellow student who was under some typical student-related stress: finishing coursework, applying for a business internship, dealing with family dynamics, etc. Over the semester, he became more and more irritable and moody, and his social circle dwindled as he snapped at friends and lost interest in hanging out outside the home. Although some people tried to help him cope with stress, he did not begin to feel better until his family physician prescribed an anti-depressant.

None of his friends realized it, but he was depressed.

Depression is a devastating and all-too-common mental illness, affecting roughly 10% of the population and twice as many women as men. However, this does not mean that men do not experience depression; much like my friend, male depression may be misunderstood or go undiagnosed. Some men may feel ashamed at their "weakness;" they may view depression as a "female" disorder and so be uncomfortable seeking treatment. Others are misguided by stereotypes of depression (e.g., you have to be sad and crying all the time), so they are not aware of their problem.

Although there are no clinically-proven differences between men's and women's depressive symptoms, certain symptoms are seen as more characteristic of male depression because of the associated stigma:

1. Irritability instead of crying. Sadness and crying are frequently associated with depression, but men may not display these symptoms due to fear of being labeled "weak" or "unmanly." So, it may be difficult to understand that their angry mood is the result of depression and not a sign of another disorder. Be on the lookout for irritability and sudden, inexplicable anger as signs of male depression. ...

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Author: Bryn Robinson