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Male Symptoms of Depression

Depression is a psychological disorder stemming from a chemical imbalance in your brain. Men with depression often experience symptoms that are different from women; many symptoms go undiagnosed because men are less likely than women to seek medical assistance.

  1. Sex Drive

    • Men with depression often experience problems with their sex drive, such as impotency or difficulty sustaining erections, or a lack of desire for sex. These symptoms most often affect men who are between 40 and 60 years old. Some men with depression, however, may experience an increase in their sex drive.

    Changes in Mood

    • Depression can cause men to have changes in their personalities, in a similar manner to male menopause. They may feel irritable, hostile, suspicious, restless or frustrated more frequently, and may experience mood swings.

    Behavior

    • Men with depression may experience changes in their everyday behavior. They may create conflict or fight with others, at home and at work; talk incessantly or negatively; be compulsive with completing tasks and try to control everything; have an increased or decreased appetite; make poor decisions; sleep fewer hours than they have in the past; or drink alcohol in an attempt to self-medicate.

    Physical Symptoms

    • Sometimes depression can manifest as physical symptoms. Men may have chronic health problems, such as difficulty breathing, frequent headaches, tightness in their chest or stomach, and digestive problems.

    Suicide

    • Many individuals with depression, including men, have frequent thoughts of suicide or attempt to commit suicide. Feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness and other emotions may lead to these suicidal thoughts. If you think you may harm yourself or someone else, seek help immediately, either through emergency services or a suicide hotline.

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