Video from: The College Of Education At The University Of Texas At Austin
The video above features Dr. Aaron Rochlen, a psychology professor, who explains the differences in depression between men and women as well as the consequences for men if their illness remains untreated.
While depression is more prevalent in females that in males, it is still important to acknowledge and help males understand what they are going through. According to the American Psychological Association, “Fifty-one out of every 100,000 white males older than 85 commit suicide each year, more than any other group by age, sex and race…” The fact that many of the men who experienced depression chose suicide despite how depression is totally treatable portrays the severity of gender stereotypes in affecting the male population. The expectations of men in being masculine and the public perception of depression as a female condition has not only stopped men from recognizing their illness. They are also less likely to talk about and find treatments for depression, according to the National Institute Of Mental Health. Thus, some men resort to drugs or alcohol to ‘resolve’ their emotional symptoms. Yet, the truth remains that men also need as much attention as women do in coping with mental illnesses like depression, and the first step to achieve this is to become acknowledged about male depression.
The following below are descriptions for the different types of depression in men, each with their own definitions. Here are some of the most common types, according to the National Institute Of Mental Health:
- Major depression—depressive symptoms that interfere with a man’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy most aspects of life. An episode of major depression may occur only once in a person’s lifetime. But it is common for a person to have several episodes. Special forms (subtypes) of major depression include:
- Psychotic depression—severe depression associated with delusions (false, fixed beliefs) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not really there). These psychotic symptoms are depression-themed. For example, a man may believe he is sick or poor when he is not, or he may hear voices that are not real that say that he is worthless.
- Seasonal affective disorder—characterized by depression symptoms that appear every year during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight.
- Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia)—depressive symptoms that last a long time (2 years or longer) but are less severe than those of major depression.
- Minor depression—similar to major depression and persistent depressive disorder, but symptoms are less severe and may not last as long.
- Bipolar Disorder is different from depression. It is included in this list because a person with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of extreme low moods (depression). But a person with bipolar disorder also experiences extreme high moods (called “mania”)
The video above features a Ted Talk by Jake, a 31 year old man who was faced with depression. He describes his experience coping with depression and seeking help instead of pretending to be fine.
Video from: TEDx Talks
Untreated depression in men is a very serious topic.
“The CDC reports that men in the U.S. are three to four times likelier than women to commit suicide. A staggering 75% to 80% of all people who commit suicide in the U.S. are men. Though more women attempt suicide, more men complete the act of actually ending their lives. This may be due to the fact that men tend to use more lethal and violent methods for committing suicide, such as using a gun rather than taking an overdose of pills.”
It is important to continue shedding light on depression in men, not only women. Support the Men Get Depression Campaign, an organization that aims to bring more attention to depression in the minority community such as males. For more information about this organization, please visit http://www.mengetdepression.com/campaign/
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