Men and Depression

[Tara]

Depression in Men: How Is It Different?
by Krisha McCoy, MS

"Statistics tell us that women are twice as likely to get depressed as men. Of the estimated 18 million Americans who suffer from depression in a given year, only one-third are men. Some health professionals say this is because women experience hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, which may both contribute to depression and complicate its treatment. But are men really less likely than women to get depressed, or are they just less likely to acknowledge it?"

Symptoms of Depression in Men

What do you guys think?

[Amalcas]

I would say the answer rides a fine line. It all depends on how one views the effects of testosterone and other "masculine" hormones. The blunt truth is that testosterone and such are supposed to increase physical and psychological strength and endurance. The physical effects are quite definite, but the psychological are, as usual, hazy. Does it actually desensitize negative emotions and pain, or does it only increase the weight placed on keeping them hidden?
Truth be told, I don't have a clue. :shrug:

[teancum79]

I don't know a whole lot about brain chemistry and such, but our cultural tends to promote the values and ability that men are more prone to. Aggression, strength, unfeeling, uncaring, logical etc. These abilities get rewarded far more than compassion, tenderness and other qualities that are more commonly associated with women.

I also think that role confusion can cause some problems. Am I supposed to be a mother and wife or have a career or both? Do I use my body to get money and popularity or is that bad? Why don’t I look like the porn queen on TV?

I think things like that would contribute a lot to female depression were as men face far more simple issues in life. Can I make enough money? I would be interesting to see depression rates from (your going to love this) The Great Depression. Suicide was very common for men than it has been speculated that a lot of that had to do with them feeling that if they could not provide than their lives were worthless.

Meeting societal and personal expectations for self = less depression.

[littlepea]

you hardly ever hear of women committing suicide because they get fired from their jobs, but it's much more common that a man will kill themselves because they got the sack. it's more to do with the fact that a man defines himself by his job, or something like that.

personally i think it's because women are naturally emotionally unbalanced and it's harder for them to put their feelings to one side. that's not to say women are incapable of that - maggie thatcher is often described as the most masculine leader the UK has had in recent times - but it might be why in general more woman let their emotions get the better of them than men.

on top of that it's also less likely for a man to discuss his problems, and hence the numbers of reported cases may only be the tip of the iceberg.