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Men want to believe that they are emotionally stable and capable of standing up for themselves. When we feel hopeless or overwhelmed by sadness we often deny it or try to cover it up. Depression, however, is not a sign of emotional weakness or a failure of manhood; rather, it is a normal problem that affects many of us at some point in our lives.
Millions of men of all ages and walks of life suffer from depression, as do their loved ones who care about them. Of course, it’s natural for everybody to have feelings of sadness occasionally. Depression is a common response to life’s inevitable failures and disappointments. However, when a man is depressed, his thoughts, feelings, and ability to go about his regular life are all affected. It can disrupt your social life, your ability to get good rest and eat well, and your ability to take pleasure in life in general. Extreme depressive episodes might last for days on end.
Because many of us men have trouble opening up about our emotions, depression in males is often disregarded. Instead, we frequently look at the physical manifestations of depression in men, such as aches and pains, insomnia, and erectile dysfunction. There may be dire implications if the underlying depression is not treated.
Help for depression is especially important for males because they are four times more likely to commit suicide than women when they are feeling hopeless. Share your thoughts and feelings openly with someone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or doctor. Depression in men is treatable and manageable, and it can be prevented if caught early enough.
Male Depression Symptoms, Signs, and Causes
When compared to women, men are less likely to recognize the signs of depression. Men are more likely to act in ways that betray their true emotions rather than admit they are struggling. Men are more likely than women to experience “stealth” depression symptoms like anger, substance abuse, and agitation in addition to the classic symptoms of depression like depressed mood, loss of interest in work or hobbies, weight and sleep disturbances, fatigue, and concentration problems.
There are three warning signals of depression in men that are often disregarded:
Ache in the flesh: Depression in men might manifest in ways that are difficult to treat medically, such as backache, recurrent headaches, sleep issues, sexual dysfunction, or gastrointestinal illnesses.
Anger: The symptoms may include anything from a loss of patience and humor to road rage and physical aggression. Some males develop abusive or possessive tendencies.
Careless actions: Men with depression are more likely to engage in risky activities including dangerous sports, reckless driving, and unsafe sex as a means of escape. It’s possible that you have a problem with alcohol, drugs, or gambling.
Male depression has numerous potential origins. Lifestyle, relationships, and coping mechanisms all have a role, as do biological, psychological, and social elements.
While any male is at risk for developing depression, several characteristics increase that risk.
Lack of social connections and companionship
Ineffective coping mechanisms Substance abuse or alcoholism
Abuse or neglect in early childhood
Aging alone with limited opportunities to interact with others
The link between depression and erection problems
Erectile dysfunction (also known as impotence) is a common
The problem among males has been linked to both depression and the use of antidepressants.
Nearly twice as many men with erectile dysfunction as those without suffer from depression. Erectile dysfunction is more likely in people who are depressed. Unfortunately, many men with depression fail to seek help for their condition because they fear that doing so will reflect negatively on their manhood.
Depression is characterized by a persistently low, depressed, or hopeless mood, whereas anxiety is characterized by an abundance of worry, unease, and dread.
However, essential symptoms are shared between these conditions. Some depressed individuals may experience more irritability than sorrow, as anxiety frequently involves irritability.
Depending on the individual, you may not always comprehend the significance of your symptoms, as these disorders manifest themselves in various ways.
Additionally, it is possible to simultaneously experience depression and anxiety: According to a 2015 global survey, 41.6% of respondents experienced both severe depression and an anxiety disorder within the previous year.
What is a significant parallel between anxiety and depression? Both can progress with the help of a mental health professional.
We will describe the primary symptoms and warning signs of each illness, as well as offer coping strategies and information on where to find support.
What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety?
Most people experience anxiety from time to time, which includes feelings of fear, uneasiness, and worry. After all, anxiety is part of how you respond to stress, thus you may feel anxious:
prior to key life events, when making important decisions, and when attempting something new However, if you have chronic or extreme anxiety on most days for several months, you may be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or another anxiety condition.
Anxiety disorders extend beyond being concerned about unexpected or difficult life events. Your issues may be more mundane, such as your health, performance at school and job, or relationships. These concerns might lead to persistent thoughts and fears that eventually begin to interfere with daily life.
The following are the primary indicators of ongoing anxiety:
Fear and concern management difficulties
Irritation, bodily restlessness, or a feeling of being on edge fear, foreboding, or panic
Sleep issues
Brain fog caused by chronic exhaustion
Headaches, muscle tension, nausea, and diarrhea are some of the physical symptoms.
A therapist can provide more information about treatment choices for anxiety and depression, but you can also manage with symptoms on your own.
The tactics listed below may not always be effective, but experimenting with different approaches at different times might help you learn more about what works best for you. That realization can lead you to a tailored toolbox of coping skills, so you always have options to explore when you are distressed or overwhelmed.
Your therapist can also provide new tactics to try as well as advice on how to put them into action.
1. Allow yourself to feel what you’re experiencing. 2. Do something over which you have control. 3. Stick to a routine. 4. Try to get a good night’s sleep. 5. Eat a variety of foods. 6. Go for a walk around the block. 7. Schedule rest and relaxation time. 8. Make contact with loved ones
Anxiety and depression can be daunting, especially if you suffer from both diseases or are unsure which one you have.
But you don’t have to deal with such symptoms on your own. Getting help for distress that lasts more than a few days or begins to interfere with your everyday life can go a long way toward assisting you in finding relief.
How Do Depression And Anxiety Differ?
The primary distinction between depression and anxiety is in the symptoms. Depression is characterized by a continuous sense of sadness. You also lack energy and lose interest in previously enjoyed hobbies. Some depressed people consider harming themselves.
Anxiety is characterized by uncontrollable fear or worry. Depending on the sort of anxiety you have, you may experience worry during routine tasks such as meeting new people.
There are numerous therapy methods available for depression and anxiety. A therapist can always provide additional assistance in recognizing symptoms and potential causes, as well as exploring the most beneficial therapy techniques.
OCD can take many different forms, however, the majority of instances fit into at least one of four broad categories:
Having a mental illness such as pregnancy or schizophrenia, or checking things like locks, alarm systems, ovens, or light switches
Contamination, apprehension about potentially dirty objects, or a need to clean. You could get mental contamination if you experience being treated rudely.
Order and symmetry, the requirement that objects be arranged in a specific manner
Invasive musings, and a preoccupation with a particular idea. These ideas might include some violent or unsettling ones.
What Is OCD? (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
The mental disease known as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts or sensations (obsessions) or the impulse to do certain repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Obsessions and compulsions are both common in some people.
OCD is not characterized by behaviors like nail-biting or pessimistic thinking. A compulsive habit might be washing your hands seven times after touching something that might be dirty, whereas an obsession might be the idea that particular numbers or colors are “good” or “bad.” You may not want to think or act in these ways, but you feel unable to stop.
Everyone occasionally has repetitive habits or thoughts. OCD patients may have or do the following:
Interfere with your social life, your job, or another aspect of your life
To confirm that something else isn’t causing your symptoms, your doctor may perform a physical examination and blood testing. They will also discuss your emotions, ideas, and routines with you.
Causes and Risk Factors for OCD
Doctors are unsure about the cause of OCD in some patients. Stress might exacerbate symptoms.
A little more women than males experience it. Teenagers or young adults frequently have symptoms.
OCD risk elements consist of:
OCD in a parent, sibling, or child
Physical variations in specific brain regions
Tics, depression, or anxiety
Knowledge of trauma
An earlier history of physical or sexual abuse
A youngster may occasionally develop OCD as a result of a streptococcal infection. Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, or PANDAS, is the name given to this condition.
OCD Therapy
OCD cannot be cured. But with the help of medication, therapy, or a combination of treatments, you might be able to control how your symptoms interfere with your life.
Treatments include:
Psychotherapy: Your thought patterns may be changed with cognitive behavioral therapy. Your doctor will place you in an environment intended to induce anxiety or trigger compulsions as part of a technique known as exposure and response prevention. You’ll discover how to reduce, then stop, your OCD thoughts or behaviors. Relaxation: Simple practices like yoga, massage, and meditation can ease the symptoms of anxious OCD.
Medication: Selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors are psychiatric medications that assist many people to manage their obsessions and compulsions. Starting to function could take two to four months. Escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline are examples of common ones (Zoloft). Your doctor may prescribe antipsychotic medications such as aripiprazole (Abilify) or risperidone if you continue to experience symptoms (Risperdal).
Compulsions and Obsessions
Many OCD sufferers are aware that their thoughts and behaviors are absurd. They perform them because they are unable to stop, not because they like doing so. And if they quit, they feel terrible and restart.
Obsessive ideas might consist of:
Fear of harming yourself or others
Constant attention to body sensations like breathing, blinking, or other body functions
Suspicion of infidelity in a relationship but no solid evidence to support it
Among compulsive behaviors are:
Completing things in a predetermined order or a predetermined number of “excellent” times each time
Counting objects, such as steps or bottles
Fear of shaking hands, using public restrooms, or touching doorknobs
Repetitive, uncontrollable urges to act on particular thoughts or feelings (compulsions) are hallmarks of the mental illness known as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Some people frequently have obsessions and compulsions.
OCD is not characterized by behaviors like nail-biting or pessimistic thinking. A compulsive habit might be washing your hands seven times after touching something that might be dirty, whereas an obsession might be the idea that particular numbers or colors are “good” or “bad.” You may not want to think or act in these ways, but you feel unable to stop.
Everyone occasionally has repetitive habits or thoughts. OCD patients may have or do the following:
Interfere with your social life, your job, or another aspect of your life
Many OCD sufferers are aware that their thoughts and behaviors are absurd. They perform them because they are unable to stop, not because they like doing so. And if they quit, they feel terrible and restart.
Obsessive ideas might consist of:
Fear of harming yourself or others
Constant attention to body sensations like breathing, blinking, or other body functions
Suspicion of infidelity in a relationship but no solid evidence to support it
Among compulsive behaviors are:
Completing things in a predetermined order or a predetermined number of “excellent” times each time
Counting objects, such as steps or bottles
Fear of shaking hands, using public restrooms, or touching doorknobs
Types and Symptoms of OCD
OCD can take many different forms, however, the majority of instances fit into at least one of four broad categories:
Having a mental illness such as pregnancy or schizophrenia, or checking things like locks, alarm systems, ovens, or light switches
Contamination, apprehension about potentially dirty objects, or a need to clean. You could get mental contamination if you experience being treated rudely.
Order and symmetry, the requirement that objects be arranged in a specific manner
Invasive musings, and a preoccupation with a particular idea. These ideas might include some violent or unsettling ones.
Diagnosis Of OCD
To confirm that something else isn’t causing your symptoms, your doctor may perform a physical examination and blood testing. They will also discuss your emotions, ideas, and routines with you.
Causes and Risk Factors for OCD
Doctors are unsure about the cause of OCD in some patients. Stress might exacerbate symptoms.
A little more women than males experience it. Teenagers or young adults frequently have symptoms.
OCD risk elements consist of:
OCD in a parent, sibling, or child
Physical variations in specific brain regions
Tics, depression, or anxiety
Knowledge of trauma
An earlier history of physical or sexual abuse
A youngster may occasionally develop OCD as a result of a streptococcal infection. Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, or PANDAS, is the name given to this condition.
OCD Therapy
OCD cannot be cured. But with the help of medication, therapy, or a combination of treatments, you might be able to control how your symptoms interfere with your life.
Treatments include:
Psychotherapy: Your thought patterns may be changed with cognitive behavioral therapy. Your doctor will place you in an environment intended to induce anxiety or trigger compulsions as part of a technique known as exposure and response prevention. You’ll discover how to reduce, then stop, your OCD thoughts or behaviors. Relaxation: Simple practices like yoga, massage, and meditation can ease the symptoms of anxious OCD.
Medication: Selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors are psychiatric medications that assist many people to manage their obsessions and compulsions. Starting to function could take two to four months. Escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline are examples of common ones (Zoloft). Your doctor may prescribe antipsychotic medications such as aripiprazole (Abilify) or risperidone if you continue to experience symptoms (Risperdal).
Since “depression doesn’t heal itself” and there is no “cure,” ongoing treatment is essential, says Hanna Simmons, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and therapist in Denver, Colorado. To paraphrase an old adage, “Don’t blame yourself for your mental illness; there are various causes, including trauma, genetic predisposition, the side effects of other health disorders, or even no evident cause at all.”However, you need to put more emphasis on the things that bring you joy and help you advance in life.
The use of medicine or consultation with a psychotherapist is two examples. Adjustments to one’s way of life include things like resting sufficiently, learning to meditate, getting out into nature, and doing regular exercise. (These are some of the reasons why doctors and psychologists recommend walking.)
Something else that can be useful? Depressingly reading quotes on mental illness. Reading depression quotes can help you see that you are not alone in your feelings. the situation could be brightened up with their support.
♦ “People who have never dealt with depression think it’s just being sad or being in a bad mood. That’s not what depression is for me; it’s falling into a state of grayness and numbness.” —Dan Reynolds, Imagine Dragons
♦ “Depression is feeling like you’ve lost something but having no clue when or where you last had it. Then one day you realize what you lost is yourself.” —Unknown
♦ “Depression is being colorblind and constantly told how colorful the world is.” —Atticus’s poetry
♦ “Listen to the people who love you. Believe that they are worth living for even when you don’t believe it. Seek out the memories depression takes away and project them into the future. Be brave; be strong; take your pills. Exercise because it’s good for you even if every step weighs a thousand pounds. Eat when the food itself disgusts you. Reason with yourself when you have lost your reason.” ―Andrew Solomon
♦ “In my opinion, living with manic depression takes a tremendous amount of balls. Not unlike a tour of Afghanistan (though the bombs and bullets, in this case, come from the inside). At times, being bipolar can be an all-consuming challenge, requiring a lot of stamina and even more courage, so if you’re living with this illness and functioning at all, it’s something to be proud of, not ashamed of. They should issue medals along with the steady stream of medication.” ―Carrie Fisher, Wishful Drinking
♦ “Depression is your body saying, ‘I don’t want to be this character anymore. It’s too much for me.’ You should think of the word ‘depressed’ as ‘deep rest.’ Your body needs to be depressed. It needs deep rest from the character that you’ve been trying to play.” —Jim Carrey
♦ “Depression is melancholy minus its charms.” ―Susan Sontag
♦ “The hardest thing about depression is that it is addictive. It begins to feel uncomfortable not to be depressed. You feel guilty for feeling happy.” ―Pete Wentz
♦ “After every Olympics, I think I fell into a major state of depression, and after 2012 that was probably the hardest fall for me. I didn’t want to be in the sport anymore. I didn’t want to be alive anymore. I think people actually finally understand [depression is] real. People are talking about it and I think this is the only way that it can change.” —Michael Phelps
♦ “Whenever someone tells me to ‘Just be happy,’ I want to yell, ‘Oh, hey, depression’s gone! Why didn’t I think of that?’ But usually, I just roll my eyes instead.” —Anonymous
♦ “What they don’t tell you about depression is that sometimes it feels a lot less like sadness and a lot more like the emotional equivalent of watching paint dry.” —Alexis, Tumblr
♦ “Sometimes I just think depression’s one way of coping with the world. Like, some people get drunk, some people do drugs, and some people get depressed. Because there’s so much stuff out there that you have to do something to deal with it.” —Ned Vizzini, author
♦ “Our Generation has had no Great war, no Great Depression. Our war is spiritual. Our depression is our lives.” —Chuck Palahniuk, writer