Mental illness
affects all genders, but men are less likely to openly talk about their feelings
of depression and anxiety. So how can you tell when a man might be at risk?
The CDC report that about nine percent of men have
daily feelings of anxiety or depression. Depression
and anxiety can affect men at any age. Less than one-half of men (41%) try to find help for these conditions. Daily
stresses, hard times and major life changes can be tough to deal with. Although
we do not know exactly what causes mental illnesses, it is often a combination
of genes, chemical imbalances and life events. With the right treatment,
most men can get better and regain their interest in work, family and hobbies,
or overcome their anxiety.
Recognizing
Depression in Men
Most men feel sad, irritable or have trouble sleeping at times. However, when
these feelings continue for weeks at a time and affect their everyday life, it
can be a sign of depression. Depression can affect both men and women alike but
can present itself differently between genders.
A man with depression might also feel constant guilt, lose
energy, have trouble focusing, experience changes in appetite or have thoughts
of suicide.
Coping with Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal human emotion that all men feel at times. Many men feel anxious, or nervous, when
faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or making a big decision. However,
worry and fear are constant for men with anxiety. Some signs of anxiety include
inappropriate reactions to a situation and a lack of control over your reactions
to a point where anxiety gets in the way of daily life. Anxiety can also
present itself as a panic attack. Panic attacks are intense feelings of doom
happening over a very short period of time. When someone has a panic attack,
they can also experience dizziness, sweating, chest pain or a racing heart,
nausea and trembling.
Steps to
Treatment
Having good mental health helps men face the challenges that life gives them.
There are many ways to cope with these stresses. Simple steps like getting
enough sleep, social support, exercising and finding healthy ways to relieve
stress can help. Many men do not seek mental help when needed because they do
not recognize the symptoms. Men may be unwilling to talk about how they’re
feeling, but should understand that depression and anxiety are real and
treatable illnesses. For men that don’t
see significant improvement in their depression or anxiety, the next step is to
see their healthcare provider and discuss more advanced treatments that
prescription drugs can provide.
Seeking Help
If you’re a man and have been feeling little interest in doing things you
normally love, or have been feeling down, depressed or hopeless for two weeks
or more, you should talk with your healthcare provider. If your anxiety does
not go away with time and continues to worsen by getting in the way of work,
school or relationships, you should talk to your doctor. They can help you
overcome depression and anxiety with lifestyle changes, counseling or
medications.
By
Dahlia Sultan, PharmD
Sources:
- National Institute of Health. Men and
Depression. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/men-and-depression_142046.pdf. Accessed December 2, 2015. - Office of Women’s Health, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. Men’s Health. http://www.womenshealth.gov/mens-health/mental-health-for-men/. Accessed December 2, 2015. - Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. NCHS Data Brief. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db206.htm. Accessed December 4, 2015. - Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement.
Health Care Guideline: Adult Depression in Primary Care Guideline. https://www.icsi.org/_asset/fnhdm3/Depr-Interactive0512b.pdf. Accessed December 2, 2015.
