Johns Hopkins Health Alert
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:
- 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.
- 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.
Posted in Depression and Anxiety on July 21, 2006
Reviewed June 2011
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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Acute prostatitis is a miserable condition. I have suffered with it since my 20's and now at 70 I still have problems. I get both minor infections of the prostate and have suffered from BPH for many years. On top of this I have suffered from depression for most of life. For 35 years I self medicated with alcohol and finally decided to seek help. I have been on 20mg of Prozac for 15 years and my life has changed dramatically. I also take Flomax for the BPH and it makes life so much better. Don't give up. Prostatitis is treatable but it is a slow process. Find yourself a good doctor and follow his advice and you will recover.
Posted by: cgregory | June 13, 2007 5:16 PM
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I have been diagnosed with severe depression several years ago,(15)and have come to live a healthy and normal life. But the last four years have been insatiably demanding on all the tools I have. Most recently,in the last three months, I have bben diagnosed with acute prostatitis. There has been no CURE,for it yet. What I have noticed is that I have had no sex drive and have been very depressed since the onset of this new illness. This in itself is depressing but also has flared up the severe dpression attributes, anger, irritability, extreme sadness,not caring, and I have no excitement in my life to do anything. I find myself sleeping both day and night, and my friends say I don't ever smile anymore. Has anyone had a prostrate problem that has brought back the same negative problems of depression as I have? Is this a common thing? Is there any hope for a cure? I want my life back!
Posted by: farmer john | February 21, 2007 4:40 PM