Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Depression and Anxiety | Men and Depression

Men often experience nontraditional symptoms of depression, which can keep them from recognizing the problem and seeking help.

If you’re a man and suffer from depression, you’re not alone! Nearly six million men in the United States are diagnosed with depression each year. But because men are less likely than women to recognize their symptoms and seek treatment, many more men probably suffer from this condition.

Depression in men is under diagnosed for at least two reasons:

1. Men tend not to experience some of the typical symptoms of depression, for example, crying episodes and feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and guilt, which are common in women.
   Instead, men with depression may experience anger, irritability, frustration, and physical problems, such as headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms, and sexual dysfunction. They may also experience sleeping problems, withdrawal, and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, just like women. In addition, they may become self-critical and doubt their abilities. Men often mask their depression by turning to drugs or alcohol, or by working excessively long hours.

2. Men may be less likely than women to talk about their symptoms or report them to their doctor. Moreover, they may feel that they can handle their depression or that it will go away on its own. However, men’s reluctance to seek treatment may explain why more than four times as many men than women die by suicide, although more women attempt suicide. In fact, the highest suicide rate is for white men over 85 years of age. Even men who do not attempt suicide may engage in reckless behavior that is life threatening.

The good news

The good news is that men who do receive treatment for depression respond as well to medication and psychotherapy as women. If you think you might be experiencing some of the symptoms of depression, see your primary care physician. He or she may start treatment or refer you to a mental health professional. Some men are reluctant to consider therapy, but most research suggests that a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy is the most effective treatment approach.

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Depression and Anxiety | Men and Depression