What Are the Signs of Clinical Depression in Men?

Major depression, also known as clinical depression, affects about 15 million Americans every year. Major depression results in an overwhelming, disabling mood that affects all aspects of an individual's life. Though there are general signs exhibited by those who are deeply depressed, the major depressive experience varies between individuals and between men and women.

Definition

• Major depression is a mental health disorder that results in a significant disabling alteration in mood that occurs most every day and lasts for at least 2 weeks at a time. When an individual experiences a major depressive cycle, he has lowered self-esteem and loses interest in the usual life activities that normally bring him pleasure. His family, work or school, interpersonal relationships and general health are affected by this disorder.

General Signs

• There are a variety of other signs health care professionals look for when diagnosing major depression. These symptoms include: increase or decrease in appetite; weight loss or weight gain; psychomotor agitation or retardation; feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness; insomnia or hypersomnia; loss of energy, fatigue; self-reproach; excessive or inappropriate guilt; diminished ability to think or concentrate; recurrent thoughts of death; and a preoccupation with suicide or suicide attempts.

Major Depression Sexual Disparities

• Approximately 5 percent of men in America are diagnosed with major depression in any given year, while 12 percent of American women are diagnosed. Mental health professionals and organizations have questioned whether this significant disparity is because men are less likely to be deeply depressed than women, or if men are less likely to recognize, acknowledge and seek treatment for major depression.
  The National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) has found that men are less likely to identify major depressive signs, especially any physical ailments that may appear (such as headaches, digestive disorders or chronic pain) that may indicate they are deeply depressed.
  NIMH believes that this is because men are concerned about the possible associated stigma with being diagnosed with major depression. Whether the possible consequences are real or imagined, some men are concerned that such a diagnoses may affect their employment, career advancement opportunities or insurance benefits.

Other Signs of Depression in Men

• It's not unusual for men's major depression symptoms to present themselves differently than the symptoms do in women. While women are more likely to feel unnecessary guilt or worthlessness, men have a tendency toward self-medicating by abusing alcohol or drugs, or by working long hours. When deeply depressed, men may become frustrated, discouraged, irritable, angry and may even become abusive. It is not uncommon for men to become involved in risky behavior.

Treatment

• When treatment is sought, a qualified health care professional (such as a general practitioner, psychologist, psychiatrist or clinical social worker) can prescribe and provide treatment that can help the deeply depressed man reclaim his life.
  Such treatment usually involves therapy or counseling and a prescription for an anti-depressant. Regular exercise may also be recommended. In extreme cases, electroconvulsive therapy may be prescribed.