6 Signs of Depression That May Look Different in Men
Men suffering from depression often struggle to recognize the symptoms of this condition. Not only are men often discouraged from talking about their mental health openly, the differences in social pressures for men and women can affect how individuals experience depression. Cultural expectations influence the way people express themselves, which can change how depression symptoms manifest for individuals of different genders.
For men and women alike, depression can mean feeling sad and empty, being easily exhausted, and losing enjoyment in hobbies and activities you used to love. But men often experience symptoms that they may not associate with depression. Here are a few depression symptoms that occur more commonly in men.
1. Irritability and Anger
Living with depression can make anyone feel irritated. However, women are taught to suppress their anger, while anger in men is viewed as more acceptable than sadness. Therefore, a man who is struggling with persistent sadness in connection with depression might be more prone to angry outbursts. Complaining, yelling, or arguing can provide temporary relief from these unpleasant emotions, but these behaviors don’t actually address the roots of the issue.
2. Self-Medicating with Substances
A man with depression may feel like he doesn’t have an outlet to share what’s on his mind. Sitting with these feelings is too painful, and as a result, he might turn to substance use as a momentary reprieve. Substance use can serve as a form of self-medicating, and for a while, it can seem like you get to “take a break” from your symptoms. But in the long run, heavy substance use can actually exacerbate depression.
3. Physical Symptoms
Keeping your feelings inside doesn’t actually make them disappear. Over time, trying to ignore your emotional symptoms can actually lead to the development of physical symptoms. Men with depression may be more prone to headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues, insomnia, or other sleep troubles.
Dealing with physical symptoms of depression can turn into a frustrating cycle. These ailments can have a detrimental effect on your mood, but your worsening mood can fuel the physical symptoms.
4. Risky Behaviors
Depression can skew an individual’s risk perception. This effect can be particularly pronounced for men with depression. Even in the absence of any mental health condition, men are more likely to engage in risky behaviors compared to women, and depression can contribute to this trend. This could include reckless driving, frequent partying, gambling, high-adrenaline sports, or even picking physical fights.
5. Escapist Tendencies
Everyone likes to escape from reality once in a while. There are healthy forms of escapism, like reading a captivating book after a stressful day of work, or watching a movie when you need a pleasant distraction if you’re having a rough week. But men with depression can turn to more harmful forms of escapism in order to cope with their symptoms. For instance, this might involve playing video games or watching sports for long hours while neglecting their other responsibilities.
6. Isolation and Social Withdrawal
Society teaches men to hide their struggles with mental health. Growing up, men internalize the idea that masculinity entails shouldering burdens by yourself, without reaching out for help. Therefore, men with depression can isolate themselves socially when they start dealing with symptoms.
Rather than reaching out for help or telling a friend that they’ve been having a hard time, men with depression may be tempted to pull away from their social circles. It’s not easy to overcome these cultural messages and work up the courage to ask for support.
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If you’ve been trying to cope with symptoms of depression all on your own, get in touch with our practice to learn about our depression counseling services for men.