Men's Health: Male depression: Don't ignore the symptoms

Are you irritable, isolated and withdrawn? Do you find yourself working all the time, drinking too much alcohol, using street drugs or seeking thrills from risky activities?
If so, perhaps you're being chased by what Winston Churchill called his "black dog" — male depression. Churchill attempted to ward off his black dog with compulsive overwork and large amounts of brandy. For male depression, the coping strategy may be reckless driving, risky *** or shutting yourself off from the world.
But none of these can keep male depression at bay for long. Even worse: Men with depression are at an increased risk of suicide.

Symptoms of male depression


In both men and women, common signs and symptoms of depression include feeling down in the dumps, sleeping poorly, and feeling sad, guilty and worthless. Men with depression, however, have bouts of crying less often than do women with depression.
Other symptoms of male depression often include:

• Anger and frustration
• Violent behavior
• Losing weight without trying
• Taking risks, such as reckless driving and extramarital ***
• Loss of concentration
• Isolation from family and friends
• Avoiding pleasurable activities
• Fatigue
• Loss of interest in work, hobbies and ***
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Misuse of prescription medication
• Thoughts of suicide

In addition, men often aren't aware that physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain, can be symptoms of male depression.



Treatment
If you or someone close to you is considering suicide, seek help immediately from your doctor, the nearest hospital emergency room or emergency services (911).
If you suspect you have depression, schedule a physical examination with your family doctor or primary health care professional. Conditions such as a viral infection, thyroid disorder and low testosterone levels can produce symptoms similar to male depression. If your doctor rules out such conditions as a cause of your symptoms, the next step may be a depression screening. Treatment for male depression may include antidepressant medications, psychotherapy or both.
Self-care strategies also may help. These include:

• Setting realistic goals and prioritizing tasks
• Spending time with supportive family and friends
• Engaging in activities you enjoy, such as exercise, movies, ball games or fishing
• Delaying important decisions, such as changing jobs or getting married or divorced, until your depression symptoms improve