Myths About Men and Depression
Only women get depression,
Depression is not a real illness.
Depressed people are always crying.
If I get treatment for depression I will have to take drugs for the rest of my life.
Men should be able to suck it up and snap out of it.
Only women get depression: The fact is that millions of men worldwide suffer from depression every year and it is the leading cause of disability worldwide. There are some common symptoms of depression anyone can experience, which can include being withdrawn, losing interest in friends and activities you used to enjoy, and difficulty concentrating on things, sleeping too much or too little, excessive worrying, weight loss or gain. While we may all experience some of these symptoms at times, if you experience a number of these symptoms and they persist it is likely you are experiencing a depressive episode. When depressed, men can become irritable and aggressive, work compulsively, isolate themselves from friends and family, drink more than normal, and engage in high risk activities.
Depression is not a real illness: Depression is a serious health condition that millions of men contend with every year. It’s no different than if you develop diabetes or high blood pressure—it can happen to anyone. Depression can be a symptom of something else going on physically. Low testosterone can cause many changes in mood, energy, and sexual libido. And one of the things a hormonal imbalance can cause is depression. Men with low testosterone are four times more likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression.
Depressed people are always crying: Not all people cry or act sad when they have depression. Some feel useless, emotionally blank, or worthless. Depression affects people in different ways, but it still takes a toll on families and prevents people from living life to the fullest. When depressed, some men can become irritable and aggressive, work compulsively, isolate themselves from friends and family, drink more than normal, and engage in high risk activities.
If I get treatment for depression I will have to take drugs for the rest of my life: Medication is not the only treatment for depression. Your General Practitioner may recommend medication and for some people a course of medication can support other strategies they use to overcome depression, this does not mean you have to take it for the rest of your life. Studies show that a combination of medication and psychological intervention has proved to be more effective than either medication or psychological intervention alone. Psychotherapy is a proven treatment for depression. It’s useful for gaining new perspectives and developing new coping skills.
Men should be able to suck it up and snap out of it. Fighting depression is difficult. Not only do you have to fight the illness but you also fight the stigma attached to it. For men, the fear of looking weak or unmanly adds to this strain. Anger, shame and other defences can kick in as a means of self-protection but may ultimately prevent men from seeking treatment. Trying to battle a mental health condition on your own is like trying to push a boulder up a mountain by yourself—without a team to back you up, it’s going to be a lot harder.