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Depression

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Depression is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is a serious illness that affects the body, mood, and thoughts. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Depression is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. Without treatment, depression can lead to personal, family, and financial problems, and, in some cases, end in suicide.

Studies have found that depression is about twice as common in women as men. But we don't know if depression is truly less common in men or if men are just less likely than women to recognize and seek help for depression. Some signs of depression include:

• Ongoing sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue
• Trouble staying focused, remembering, or making decisions
• Trouble sleeping
• Changes in appetite and/or weight
• Restlessness or irritability
• Ongoing physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive problems, or chronic pain, which do not respond to treatment
• Thoughts of death, suicide, or suicide attempts

Men often cope with depressive symptoms differently than women, such as turning to alcohol or drugs, or becoming frustrated, discouraged, angry, irritable, and sometimes, violent.

If you have symptoms of depression or if emotional problems interfere with your work or family life, see your doctor. Treatment can help most people with depression. Treatment usually involves counseling (talk therapy), medication, or both.

Keep in mind that depression is a real illness, men can have it, and it's treatable. If you or someone you care about shows signs of depression, don't wait — seek help now.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Depression — This easy-to-use booklet provides an overview of depression, including signs and symptoms, causes, treatment, and where to go for help. It also describes the different ways that women, men, older people, and children and teens experience depression.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm

2.   Men and Depression — This publication discusses the types of depression common in men, symptoms of depression and mania, causes of depression, depression in elderly men, depression in boys and adolescent males, suicide, diagnosis, treatment, and how to find help and support.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/complete-index.shtml ...

3.   National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Brochure: When It Seems Like There Is No Hope, There Is Help — This brochure explains the warning signs of suicide and how to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for help.

   http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0141/

4.     Suicide: Facts at a Glance — This fact sheet provides statistics on suicide prevalence in the United States. It looks at the differences among gender, race, and age.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/Suicide/suicide_data_sheet.pdf

5. Male Depression: Understanding the Issues (Copyright © MFMER) — This Web site can help men recognize the signs and symptoms of depression. It discusses issues behind male depression and gives information on how to cope with it.

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/male-depression/MC00041

6.   Suicide in the U.S.A.: Based on Current (2005) Statistics (Copyright © AAS) — This fact sheet provides the most current information and statistics about suicide prevalence in the United States (from 2005 and released in 2008).

   http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=232&name=DLFE-29.pdf...

7.   Your Head: An Owner's Manual: Understanding and Overcoming Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (Copyright © Men's Health Network) — This manual provides men of all ages, and those who love them, with important and realistic perspectives about mental health along with realistic and practical approaches that can make a difference in their lives.

   http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/ownersmanual.pdf

Organizations

1.   National Institute of Mental Health Information Center, NIH
2.   National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
3. American Association of Suicidology
4. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated June 1, 2009.