How to Deal With Male Depression
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, each year in America, six million men suffer from depression as compared to 12 million women. However, the Mayo Clinic says those numbers may not accurately represent the problem of male depression. Men can suffer different symptoms than women, and they often resist admitting when they have a problem. This prevents them from getting treatment and learning strategies to deal with their depression.
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Instructions
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Admit that you may be depressed. The Mayo Clinic says that many men are reluctant to believe they could be suffering from depression. They ignore or try to mask the symptoms, because they think admitting that they have a problem is a sign of weakness. This prevents them from getting a proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Visit your doctor or a mental health professional to confirm that you are depressed. Your general practitioner may be able to make the diagnosis, or you may be sent to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Be honest when discussing your symptoms and answering screening questions. Don't try to hide your depression.
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Create a treatment plan. This might include taking antidepressant medication, seeing a therapist for counseling sessions or both.
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Take advantage of your support system of family and friends. The Mayo Clinic says many men don't realize the value of social support. Some may be reluctant to reveal their vulnerability to others, even their own spouse. Family and friends can provide valuable support while you are battling depression.
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Set reasonable goals. This will keep you from getting overwhelmed while you are being treated for depression. Many men overload themselves, which causes stress and can feed the depression. The Mayo Clinic says you should prioritize tasks to prevent unnecessary stress.
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Tips & Warnings
Depressed men often exhibit different symptoms than women. These may include abusive behavior, violence, acting out sexually, abusing alcohol and other substances and engaging in risky behavior. If you have some of these symptoms, it could indicate depression.
The Mayo Clinic warns that depressed men are more likely to follow through with suicide than depressed women, and the Mid-Life Passages website says that 80 percent of suicide victims in America are male. Men show fewer warning signs beforehand, and they choose more deadly methods of committing suicide (such as using a gun). Men who have suicidal thoughts should seek immediate help by calling a mental health hot line or 911 or reaching out to a family member or other appropriate person.
