Depression can impact anyone regardless of race and gender and is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. Current research indicates that there a variety of factors that impact an individual’s risk of developing depression such as genetics, environmental factors, as well as illness.1

While depression can affect anyone, men often go undiagnosed. Depression in men may display different symptoms than depression in women, and due to the stigma, some men don’t seek help or talk about their depression. This has led to a much higher suicide rate among men. In 2018, men died by suicide at a rate 3.56x higher than women, and white males accounted for 69.67% of suicide deaths.2

Symptoms of Depression in Men

Depression presents itself differently in everyone. Some men may experience many symptoms, while others may only experience a few. Below are some of the most common symptoms to look out for.

  • Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
  • Feelings of anxiousness or restlessness
  • Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
  • Difficulty concentrating or remembering details
  • Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
  • Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
  • Inability to meet the responsibilities of work, caring for family, or other important activities
  • Engaging in high-risk activities or developing a need for alcohol or drugs
  • Withdrawing from family and friends or becoming isolated

For more information on depression and men, view the articles below written by Paul K. Gross, Medical Director for the TMS Center of the Lehigh Valley.

References