10 Signs of Depression in Men You May Not Be Aware Of

Do you get easily irritated, struggle to control your anger, or feel constantly fatigued? Do you work all the time or drink a lot to try and numb your feelings and help you cope? If so, read on. These are signs of depression in men, and you may be suffering from it.

Depression is a common mental health disorder that impacts the way a person feels, thinks, and manages his or her daily responsibilities and activities. It affects both men and women but is sometimes thought of as a women’s disease because symptoms in men tend to manifest differently and are not always clear-cut. Male depression, however, is a real thing. Knowing what to look for can help lead to early diagnosis and treatment.

Many men have a hard time acknowledging that they have a health problem, especially a mental health one that is affecting their social and emotional well-being. They resist reaching out for help because of the stigma attached to mental health issues and because they have been conditioned to believe that men are supposed to be tough, self-reliant, able to manage their pain, and to exert self-control.

They think that talking about their emotions and admitting that they are having a tough time is a sign of weakness, so they try instead to ignore or mask their feelings and resist reaching out for help.

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), only half as many men report being depressed as women. As a result, their depression may be difficult to spot, and too often goes unrecognized and untreated.

Common signs of depression in men

Below are some common signs of depression in men you may not be aware of. They are red flags that should not be ignored.

Persistent sadness

You have an overwhelming feeling of sadness that has lasted for weeks or months.

Feeling weighed down by negative emotions

You feel weighed down by negative emotions such as hopelessness, loneliness, emptiness, and worthlessness.

Having a short fuse

Masking your feelings and trying to bottle them up to conform to perceived social norms for masculinity may lead to irritability and a short fuse that causes you to lash out and engage in unprovoked and inappropriate displays of anger. You are irritable, aggressive, short-tempered, and hostile, and may become controlling and abusive in your relationships.

Alcohol or substance abuse

You drink a lot or use drugs to self-medicate and try to block out your feelings. However, the relief you feel is only temporary, and when the effect wears off, it often magnifies your symptoms and makes you feel worse.

Escapist behavior

You try to escape your feelings by engaging in escapist behaviors such as excessive exercise or spending extra time at work.

Engaging in risky behavior

You make poor judgment calls and engage in risky behaviors such as reckless driving, gambling, unsafe sex, or picking fights with people who are bigger and stronger than you are.

Physical symptoms

You experience physical symptoms such as headaches, backaches, muscle pain, and digestive issues, as well as loss of sexual desire and erectile dysfunction.

Changes in sleep and appetite

You have trouble falling or staying asleep or may sleep too much, have chronic fatigue, and experience changes in appetite that lead to weight gain or loss.

Apathy

You feel apathetic and uninterested in hobbies and activities you previously enjoyed, and avoid social contact, isolating yourself and withdrawing from friends and loved ones.

Thoughts of suicide

You have a negative view of yourself and your future and have thoughts of suicide.

Christian counseling

Depression is not a sign of weakness. Nor is it something you can easily snap out of. It is an illness that left untreated can hamper your ability to live a normal life and put you at high risk for suicide.

Even though taking action may seem difficult, help is to be had. There are several effective, evidence-based treatment options available, and the sooner you reach out for support, the better and faster your chances for recovery.

A trained mental health professional can help you address your concerns, better understand depression and the challenges you are dealing with, and equip you to manage your symptoms in a healthy way.

If you have questions about these signs of depression in men or would like to set up an appointment to meet with one of the faith-based counselors at Stone Oak Christian Counseling in Texas, please give us a call.