Depression in Men Under 40

Depression often carries with it the stigma that it is a woman's condition, but in truth, it is nearly as common among men. And even though men tend to experience less conspicuous physical and psychological symptoms than women and are less likely to seek professional help because they don't recognize the symptoms as they relate to the condition, depression is a serious medical reality that affects millions of men under the age of 40.

Cause

• A depressive disorder can often be mistaken for "the blues."

  A depressive disorder can often be mistaken for "the blues," when in fact it is much more serious than that. Modern brain-imaging technologies have revealed that neural circuits responsible for the regulation of moods, thinking, sleep, appetite and behavior are out of balance in the brain of someone suffering from chronic depression, and critical chemicals in the brain used by nerve cells are failing to communicate. Depression may be due to genetics, cognitive issues, environmental factors or any combination of the three. The onset of depression can also occur with trauma, death of a loved one, financial struggles, difficult relationships and other stressful life factors.

Symptoms

• Many of the physical symptoms of depression go unrecognized.

  Depression affects a person's body, mood and thoughts. And because depression is often considered to be a psychological disorder, many of the physical symptoms of depression, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain, go unrecognized. Men, especially, are unaware that they are depressed, even though they may also be experiencing more psychological symptoms, such as a persistent feeling of sadness, irritability, loss of interest, sleeping issues, difficulty concentrating, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, loss of appetite and thoughts of suicide.

Types

• Depression comes in many forms, some more serious than others.

  Depression comes in many forms or degrees, some more serious than others. The first of which is major depressive disorder; this form of depression, though it may only occur once in a lifetime, interferes with a man's ability to perform at work. It also interrupts his sleeping and eating habits, as well as keeps him from truly enjoying his life.

  A less severe form of depression is disthymic depressive disorder. This particular disorder manifests itself with longer lasting symptoms, though they aren't so severe that they debilitate a man. It may, however, keep him from every feeling well, and may even manifest into major depressive disorder in some cases.

  Another type of depression is bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized as a person experiencing severe highs and lows, moods shifting dramatically from manic (high) to depressive (low), with stretches of "normal" in between. Left untreated, this disorder could lead to a psychotic state.

  An unlikely type of depression in men is postpartum depression. Thought to be a disorder manifested in new mothers, research is showing that 14 percent of American men are developing depression during their partner's pregnancy or in the first year after delivery, the problem spiking when babies reach 3 to 6 months old.

Risk

• Tthe rate of men experiencing the condition is rising.

  Often thought of as the "common cold of psychiatry," depression will affect up to 20 percent of the population. And while women are three times more likely to suffer from the condition than men, the rate of men experiencing depression is quickly rising.

Treatment

• Antidepressants are the most common treatment for depression.

  Men express concern when it comes to seeking professional help for their condition, for fear that the stigma of depression will impact their life negatively, interfering with their jobs and relationships. Not only do men experience symptoms differently than women, but they also cope with those symptoms differently. And often, they go untreated. The most common treatment for depression is an antidepressant medication. Contrary to popular belief, these are not addictive drugs, and while the effects of an antidepressant drug begin to work immediately, the benefits sometimes aren't felt for weeks. Also antidepressants are only effective in two-thirds of people experiencing moderate to severe depression.