How do you spot depression in men?
You haven’t quite been feeling yourself lately.
It’s hard to put your finger on…but something is off.
Are you tired, overworked, stressed?
Or could it be something longer-lasting and more damaging?
Could you be depressed?
Knowing When You’re Depressed
How do you know if you’re depressed?
You might have a feeling that something is off or that you’re not quite yourself, but…are you depressed?
The most common symptoms of depression in men include:
- A persistent feeling of being anxious or feeling empty;
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism that won’t go away;
- A sense of guilt over something you can’t quite pin down;
- Losing interest in things you used to love;
- Feeling tired, lethargic, or off;
- The inability to concentrate or remember things;
- Problems sleeping or sleeping too much;
- Loss of appetite or changes in weight;
- Thinking about suicide;
- Wondering what people would do if you weren’t around;
- Becoming irritable over small things;
- Physical pains that you can’t explain.
Yes, depression, if left untreated, can cause you to feel physically ill or sore.
A lot of times we think that stress is causing us some of these problems.
That could be true, but stress usually doesn’t last for prolonged periods of time.
In men especially we know that depression is an issue, and one that is typically left untreated for too long.
According to the CDC, depression affects up to 25% of Americans each year.
Despite this, just half of those feeling depressed ever seek help. Most never even talk about it.
And when we say most, we’re mainly talking about men.
More than 6 million men a year get depressed in this country, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
That’s a lot.
Clearly, if you’re feeling depressed about things you’re not alone. Why not talk to a professional therapist about what’s making you feel down?
Talking to a Professional Therapist about Depression
The nice thing about talking with a therapist about your feelings is that no one has to know.
Your family won’t know, the people at work won’t know – no one will.
You don’t have to tell anyone that you’re talking to someone about your depression.
The reason this is so important is that many men feel a stigma about depression.
Some think it’s not tough, manly, or macho to discuss feelings. Sadly, so many men think this that we have unneeded deaths because of it.
Depression in men is a serious thing. Don’t discount it.
In fact, think about getting help. We know that many of the 41,000 suicides in America in 2013 were due to depression.
80% of those were men.
Depression is a serious illness and if left untreated, it can prove fatal.
Consider talking with a therapist about how you feel. We’d like to help with that. Call or contact us today at 202-641-5335.
