Men don’t like to admit things. Sometimes this comes in the form of endearing clichés. They won’t admit they’re lost and won’t ask the hardware store for help…you know, the usual sitcom “stubborn guy” stereotype.
But denial in men can have very serious consequences, especially in the case of depression.
Depression is a deeply painful illness for both men and women, but men often have difficulty admitting that they are depressed. why? Because men don’t have social structures that encourage them to openly discuss their feelings with other men.
Symptoms of depression in men include internalizing their feelings. Because they deny it, depression goes untreated and eventually manifests itself in many different ways.
However, it’s still important to be aware of how to identify when a man is experiencing depression. Specifically, for the following reasons: According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, almost four times as many men die by suicide as women. And depression is the main reason.
If you suspect that the man in your life is suffering in secret, here are signs of depression that indicate he may need some support and help.
Here are seven subtle symptoms of depression in men that most people overlook.
1. Continued pain that cannot be explained
Physical discomfort can be one of the biggest signs of depression in men. It can appear as a headache, abdominal pain, back or joint pain, and can take many forms.
Many men are reluctant to admit that they are sick or suffering, but men as a whole are much more uncomfortable admitting mental pain. So these physical symptoms can be red flags that help men realize that something is wrong. right.
2. They seem to feel neutral about everything.
How often does your man say “I don’t care”? Does he have a hard time getting excited about anything? Does he just ignore everything and not have an opinion on anything?
When a man is depressed, he may become indifferent to everything in his life, and such extreme apathy is closely related to depression.
3. You stop doing what you love.
When a man is depressed, all his emotions become dull, especially those of happiness and joy. That’s why depressed men often withdraw from activities they used to enjoy.
If your man stops going out with friends, abandons hobbies, or shows no interest in things he was once passionate about, he may be depressed.
4. They get angry
Depression can be confusing for men. They feel sad but don’t know why. They feel pain but don’t know why. Most men don’t have social structures or friendships that give them an outlet to talk about their feelings of pain and confusion.
So what do they do? they get angry. They lash out and lash out. They become unfriendly and aggressive. They become like lions with a thorn in their paws – they are hurt, scared and do not know what to do about it.
The only response that seems rational is anger. It can make those around you unhappy, but it should be perceived above all as a cry for help.
5. They can’t perform.
This can be a difficult symptom to discuss with a man because you don’t want to add embarrassment to his depressed mood. However, a noticeable decrease in desire and performance can be a big sign that a man is experiencing depression.
There are other medical reasons why your man may be experiencing dysfunction. It’s okay to see your doctor for a diagnosis, but depression can cause a decrease in desire in men, so it’s worth discussing it with your man, even if it’s uncomfortable.
6. They are always sleeping
If your man works two jobs or keeps working night shifts, it might be no surprise that he’s always tired. However, if a once active man seems to find opportunities to nap, he may be depressed.
Excessive sleep is a self-medication method for depression. When just being conscious is extremely painful, a person tries to find an excuse to fall into a deep sleep. If your man doesn’t seem to want to get out of bed, he might want to start talking to him about his depression.
7. They are relentlessly negative.
Being depressed is the worst, and it distorts the way you see the world. One of the ways a man copes with depression is by filling him with a pervasive sense of pessimism. Everything sucks, we’re all doomed, nothing’s going to work out anyway, so why try?
If your man finds a dark shadow behind the clouds, it may indicate that something in his heart is not able to elicit positive emotions at the moment and he needs help. there is.
As already mentioned, depression is a very serious condition for both men and women, but men often have difficulty admitting that they are experiencing depression. If you think the men in your life are struggling, have tough conversations with them and encourage them to seek professional help.
You can also try to get back into healthy habits, such as exercising and seeing friends. Eating healthier and getting out more can also help. Let him know that you’re not so weak that you need help or medicine when you’re depressed.
In fact, asking for what you need (when you need it) is a sign of strength. It’s a conversation that might save his life.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, there are ways to get help. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or text “HELLO” to 741741 to connect to the Crisis Text Line.
Tom Burns is a contributing editor for 8BitDad and The Good Men Project, and his work has been featured on Babble, Brightly, Mom.me, Time Magazine, and many other sites.
