TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Men and women are very likely to experience depression. This is a serious condition that affects the way you think, feel, and act.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women experience depression at higher rates than men. However, it is thought that men may be underrepresented in these figures. This may be due to a mix of social and biological factors that make it more difficult to notice and diagnose depression in men.
They may also feel culturally pressured to act masculine by hiding emotion. Therefore, men may experience depression but with different symptoms and sometimes more difficult to identify.
Physical symptoms
Men with depression may first be seen physically. Although depression is considered a mental health disorder, it can also manifest in the body. Many men are more likely to visit the doctor for physical problems than emotional.
Some of the common physical signs of male depression include chest tightness, digestive problems such as gas, diarrhea, and constipation, erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems, headaches, hormonal problems such as low testosterone, pain, racing heart, or heart palpitations. , as well as unintentional weight loss, and sometimes weight gain.
Mental symptoms of depression can appear differently in men than women. This is what makes depression in men difficult to detect. These symptoms can interfere with thinking and processing information, affecting behavior and emotions.
Some of the most common mental symptoms of depression in men include an inability to concentrate, memory problems, obsessive-compulsive thought patterns, worrying that hasn’t happened yet, trouble sleeping, usually having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, and suicidal thoughts.
Emotional symptoms
When you hear the word depression, most people think of something sad or gloomy. However, sadness is only one of the many possible emotions that can be evoked. In addition to sadness, men may experience symptoms of emotional depression such as agitation, aggression, anger, emotional withdrawal from friends, family, and coworkers, hopelessness, lack of interest in family, community, hobbies, and work, lack of libido, and anxiety.
Mental, physical, and emotional symptoms of depression in men can also affect behavior. Because some men refuse to discuss emotions, often their behavioral symptoms of depression are obvious to others. In men, behavioral symptoms of depression most often include difficulty meeting work, family, and other personal responsibilities, drug abuse, excessive drinking, engaging in risky activities, such as reckless driving, social isolation, and attempted suicide.
Why can depression go undiagnosed in men?
Mental health issues are more widely campaigned but there is still some cultural and social stigma surrounding depression among men. Generally, men are socialized by society to hold back their emotions even though we know doing so is unhealthy.
In an effort to maintain these social norms, many men may sacrifice their emotional, physical, and mental well-being. In addition, many men have never been taught to recognize the less typical signs of depression, which are more likely to be experienced than others.
Some men never seek help for depression because they never recognize the signs. On the other hand, men who recognize these signs may find it difficult to discuss experiences for fear of being judged by others. As a result, when they experience signs of depression, they begin to work long hours or pass the time to stay busy instead of dealing with the depression themselves.
Diagnosing depression and seeking treatment can help save lives. The suicide rate is quite high among men, especially those who have served or are currently serving in the military. In addition, men are 3-4 times more likely than women to commit suicide.
Keeping the conversation open can help men recognize the signs of depression. By seeking treatment, men with depression can live life to the fullest.
Depression is most often treated with talk therapy, medication, or both at the same time. A healthcare professional can help create the most appropriate personal treatment plan.
Many men begin treatment for cases of moderate depression by scheduling an appointment with a speech therapist (psychotherapist). From there, the therapist may suggest specific types of treatment, such as cognitive, interpersonal, problem-solving, and psychodynamic behavioral therapy.
From there, medications can be added, if needed. However, for more severe cases, medication may be prescribed immediately to help relieve some of the physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of depression. This may occur in people who have had suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide.
Antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil) or sertraline (Zoloft) are commonly used to treat depression. However, mental health professionals may also suggest other medications. Be aware, these medications often take a few weeks to months or start to make a real difference in how you feel. So, patience is required and stick to the treatment plan.
Also read: Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health
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