Men's Mental Health: Moving Past the Stigma

Symptoms of Depression in Men 

Our culture puts a lot of pressure on men to always be strong, reliable, and competent. Depression makes it hard to meet these lofty expectations. Sometimes, just the stress of failing to always live up to unrealistic goals can erode self-esteem. Men of all ages get depression—as many as one-third of men in the United States may experience depression at some time in their lives. But male adolescents—on the cusp of manhood and wrestling with those expectations—face particular risks. So do older men who retire and may suddenly feel they have lost their routines, prestige, and purpose in life. Depression affects your ability to sleep and eat well; makes you tired; impairs your ability to focus; and causes physical ailments such as backaches, headaches, stomach troubles, chest tightness, and sexual problems. A lot of men don't realize that the root of these symptoms is depression. The symptoms of depression in men and women can be different. Thinking they need to be the strong and silent types, men may bottle up their feelings. Not wanting to appear weak in the eyes of their family, friends, and colleagues, they may deny their symptoms or try to cover them up—often by doubling down on macho behavior. For example, they may dive more compulsively into their work. Or they may get angry easily and sometimes become abusive. They may also drink too much, use drugs, or engage in risky behaviors like driving recklessly or cheating on their spouses. Our culture often defines these behaviors as just "boys being boys," but they can be real signs of depression. And they can cause profound harm to men's families, friends, and co-workers—and to themselves.

Seeking Treatment for Depression 

If you've experienced some of the above symptoms, know that depression isn't a sign of weakness. It's a medical condition that needs to be treated. If you had a heart condition, you wouldn't ignore it; you would go to the doctor. Depression should be viewed the same way. Though you may feel uncomfortable asking for help at first, remember that seeking treatment for depression is a sign of strength. It takes courage to confront your illness and do what needs to be done to get better. Talk and behavioral therapies and medications have proved effective for mental illness in men. If these don't provide relief, another option is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This non-invasive, non-drug treatment uses magnetic pulses to improve brain signaling that regulates mood. If frontline depression treatments haven't had an effect, TMS may be right for you. Men's mental health shouldn't be ignored. If you're experiencing depression, don't be afraid to ask for help.