At least 6 million American men suffer from depression every year. Some symptoms of depression in men include fatigue, irritability, and feelings of sadness or worthlessness. Sometimes male depression coexists with other illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among the things that you can do to help a man who may be suffering from depression are helping him get to a healthcare provider, encouraging him to stay with the treatment until symptoms begin to lift, and offering emotional support.
An Overview of Depression in Men
Depression is a serious medical condition that affects the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way one eats and sleeps. It affects how one thinks about things, and one's self-perception. Depression is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition one can will or wish away. Men (or women for that matter) with depression cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years.
As research continues to reveal depression in men as real and treatable -- and no greater a sign of weakness than cancer or any other serious illness -- more and more men with depression may feel empowered to seek treatment and find improved quality of life.
How Common Is Male Depression?
Depression can strike anyone regardless of age, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, or gender. Researchers estimate that in the United States at least 6 million men suffer from depression every year. This is about 7 percent of the population. Nearly twice as many women (more than 12 million women) suffer from depression each year.
But important questions remain to be answered about why more women have depression than men. In fact, we still do not know if depression is truly less common among men, or if men are just less likely than women to recognize, acknowledge, and seek help for depression.
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