Cope and Treat Male Depression

6 Parts:

Signs of Male Depression

Things You Can Do That Can Help

Causes of Depression in Males

How to Help a Depressed Guy You Know

Tips Tricks & Warnings

Comments

It is estimated that more than 6 million men deal with depression each year. It can affect daily activities in a person's life. You may feel no interest in the things you once enjoyed doing. You may feel tired all the time, have a loss of appetite, and not be able to sleep at night. Normally the symptoms are the same for men as for women. However, many women tend to express their sadness and say how they feel to others, while a lot of men tend to keep their thoughts of depression to themselves. A man tends to want to feel in control, and likes to handle things his own way. This is because they often want to feel like the strong one, and do not want to think of themselves as weak or as needing any help. At times they may instead be aggressive or irritable when they are feeling down. Depression can affect a man's sexual performance too. Research has shown that 75-80 percent of all people who follow through with suicide are men.

1. 1
   Lack of energy

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   A lot of men are naturally active, but someone who is depressed tends to feel unreasonable fatigue. Not only is he physically wasted, but psychologically tired as well. Fatigue is diagnosed more in depressed males than in females.

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2. 2
   Trouble concentrating

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   When one is depressed, his mind is pre-occupied with a lot of negative thoughts. This can slow down his psychomotor abilities or activities.

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3. 3
   Loses interest in life's activities

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   He loses interest in doing things he used to enjoy, like his favorite sports. He may also decline to socialize, even with the people closest to him.

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4. 4
   Forgets to groom

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   He forgets to look at himself at the mirror. He may go to work in wrinkled clothes. He may skip shower, and allow the smell of alcohol from last night's drinking spree to linger on his breath and body.

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5. 5
   Not interested in sex

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   With both mind and body exhausted from too much thinking, even his sexual interest goes down. He could suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). Of course, this may not be seen as a depression symptom because ED can also be a side effect of anti-depressants.

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6. 6
   Thoughts of harming himself

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   Men may to get suicidal when they are depressed. They might feel that nothings makes sense anymore - that nothing and no one around him can be of any help. He may feel that by ending his life, the misery would end too. It is important that someone is always on guard to encourage him that life should go on.

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7. 7
   Too much or too little sleep

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   Some males prefer to sleep most of the time to avoid depressing thoughts, while some get too little sleep because they tend to toss and turn which interrupts their sleep.

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8. 8
   Aches in the stomach and back

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   Yes, depression can also bring some pains in the stomach and the back area. Bowel movements also may change to extremes; he either experiences diarrhea or constipation.

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9. 9
   Irritability

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   He easily gets annoyed or irritated, even about simple things like a little noise or a question from a co-worker.

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10. 10
    Unreasonable anger

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    There is always an impending air of hostility in him. Minor issues tend to anger him. Showing anger during the state of depression is many men's way to show that despite the deep loneliness they are going through, they are still strong.

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11. 11
    Too much worrying or stress

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    Stress can be seen in two ways. Stress can be due to depression or the other way around. Proper diagnosis is needed here. The mind gets tired, as does the body, although he still has other duties to perform. When all these come together, he just wants to pass out.

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12. 12
    Substance abuse and/or chain smoking

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    Both men and women abuse substances when depressed, but the number among males is greater. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance by a depressed male. When they are drinking, he tends to drift away from the real world and his depressed self. They are able to seek refuge for a while, but they will feel depressed again when they are sober. Then, he will feel the need to drink again until it becomes an addiction, and he gets caught in a cycle.

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13. 13
    Constant indecisiveness

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    There actually are men who have a hard time making even simple decisions, but if this is not normally you, then you may be in the depression stage.

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How do some men cope with depression? Many times, they might feel alcohol is the answer, or taking drugs. How can men get help for their depression?

1. 1
   Be willing to admit you are having problems and take action to remedy it.

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2. 2
   Seek out mental health counseling services that are available.

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3. 3
   Take anti- depressant medications.

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4. 4
   Talk to a good friend for support.

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5. 5
   Keep busy, doing daily activities that you enjoy.

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6. 6
   Go to family service support groups.

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1. 1
   Failed relationship
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