Men and Depression

The National Institutes of Health estimate that at least six million men in the United States suffer from some form of depression every year.

Research and clinical evidence reveal that anyone may develop symptoms of depression, and men often experience and cope with symptoms differently than women.

Men may be more willing to acknowledge fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies, and sleep disturbances rather than acknowledge feelings of sadness, worthlessness or excessive guilt. Some researchers question whether the standard definition of depression and the associated diagnostic tests adequately capture the condition as it occurs in men.

Depression does not always show as an inability to take action. Instead of acknowledging their feelings, asking for help or seeking appropriate treatment, men may:

• Turn to alcohol or drugs when depressed
• Become frustrated or discouraged
• Get angry, irritable, violent and/or abusive
• Become obsessed with their work in an effort to hide their depression from family and friends
• Engage in reckless or risky behavior

Men are more likely than women to report alcohol and drug abuse or dependence in their lifetime; however, there is debate among researchers as to whether substance use is a "symptom" of underlying depression in men, or a co-occurring condition that more commonly develops in men. Nevertheless, substance use can mask depression, making it harder to recognize it as a separate illness that needs treatment.

The first step to getting the right diagnosis and treatment for depression is a physical examination by a doctor. It is essential to be honest about the use of alcohol and prescription or recreational drugs during this exam. Certain medications, as well as some medical conditions, can cause the same symptoms as depression and your doctor should rule out these possibilities through examination, interview and lab tests. If no such cause is found, an evaluation for depression should be done by the doctor or by a mental health professional referred by your doctor or TriWest.

In serious cases of depression, thoughts of suicide may occur. Anyone thinking about attempting suicide should get immediate help by calling their doctor, calling 911 for emergency services, going to the nearest emergency room or calling the suicide hotline at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or the TriWest crisis line at 1-866-284-3743.

The National Institute of Mental Health offers an excellent depression resource for men. TriWest’s Behavioral Health portal is also available at www.triwest.com, or, beneficiaries may call 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378).