Male depression – how to fight it? This is a problem that is being underestimated

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Male depression is a taboo subject. The stereotypical man is supposed to be strong, responsible and not show weakness. And depression is considered a weakness that only women can afford. Including for this reason, men seek help from specialists less frequently and commit suicide more often. You have to talk about it out loud.

Man has to be strong and depression is for the weak

In Poland, approximately 68 thousand people are treated for depression in the public health service. men. For comparison – 205 thousand. women. The disproportion is clear. Perhaps this is due to the fact that men less often than women seek help from a specialist.

– The man is the head of the family. He has to be prepared for all circumstances. Admitting that he is depressed makes him weak. A man who suffers from depression has low self-esteem and lacks a sense of agency. He believes that he is not fulfilling his basic duties. All these features are considered non-masculine, which further worsens his condition – explains Marlena Stradomska, employee of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology at the Maria Curie Skłodowska University in Lublin, and adds – Stereotypes and stigmatization of certain behaviors are very deeply rooted in our culture, and this makes men are afraid to ask for help.

The stereotypical “real man” cannot afford such feelings as sadness, confusion or indifference. So she also can’t afford depression. It is unfair and leads to dangerous situations.

– More men commit suicide, although more suicide attempts are reported among women. Men do it decisively, which ends with certain death – explains Stradomska.

According to the data available on the police website, 2019 people committed suicide in 11, including 961 men and 8 women. The most common established cause of suicide was mental illness or disorder (782 people). This shows how serious the problem is.

1. The man is culturally taught not to cry. He doesn’t like going to the doctor

Men do not recognize signs of depression

Stereotypical perception of male and male characteristics makes men overlook the symptoms of depression or downplay them for as long as possible.

– Here I can quote the story of a patient from Warsaw. Young man, lawyer, high earning. Seemingly everything is fine. In the background, a divorce from his wife and loans on his head. Nobody at work even guessed that the man had problems until he stopped taking care of himself completely. This got his customers’ attention. During the crisis intervention, it turned out that the patient was completely in disarray. He was referred for psychiatric treatment. The long-underestimated depression hit him with redoubled force – says the expert.

At the Forum Against Depression, we can read that the most common symptoms of depression in men include: headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, irritability. They may also experience outbursts of anger or nervousness.

1. More and more suicides in Poland. What are the symptoms of depression?

These are symptoms that are very easy to ignore. If a man works and earns a living, he has a right to be tired. Irritability and even aggression are stereotypically ascribed to men and are not associated with depressive disorders.

All this means that men less often seek help from specialists and wait longer before contacting a doctor. They also fall into addictions more often due to depression.

– Mental pain is so great that without the action of psychoactive substances it would be even more difficult to function with. At the same time, this is not a solution to the problem, but only a temporary jamming which, after it stops working on the body, causes even worse effects. A vicious circle mechanism is created.

To improve men’s well-being, it is worth reaching for natural dietary supplements, eg Men’s Power – a set of YANGO supplements for men.

Disenchanting male depression

On the one hand depression among men is often a source of shameon the other hand, if a famous man “confesses” to illness, he is usually met with a wave of positive feedback. This was the case, for example, in the case of Marek Plawgo, who wrote on Twitter about his depression a few months ago. He also became the ambassador of the campaign “Faces of Depression. I do not judge. I accept”.

As he said in an interview with Polsat News, he did not want to name his state for a long time. The first time he went to a specialist, he was afraid he would hear: Get a grip, this is not depression. Fortunately, he got the help he needed.

Other famous gentlemen also speak loudly about their depression – Kazik Staszewski, Piotr Zelt, Michał Malitowski, as well as Jim Carrey, Owen Wilson and Matthew Perry. Speaking out loud about depression among men will help “disenchant” the disease. Because the hardest thing is to admit to yourself that you are sick and seek help.

– Depression is taking more and more men. This must not be allowed. If we notice symptoms such as: lack of appetite, changes in behavior, negative thoughts, weight loss or excessive weight gain, aggressive behavior, sadness, suicidal thoughts in a partner, husband or colleague from work – we need to intervene. First, talk, support and listen with empathy, and then refer them to a specialist – psychologist, psychiatrist, explains Stradomska.

Remember that depression can occur in any person. Depression has no gender. Like any other disease, it requires treatment.

The editorial board recommends:

1. Can i be depressed? Take the test and check the risk
2. Testing Worth Doing If You Suspect Depression
3. Rich, poor, educated or not. It can touch anyone

If you suspect depression in yourself or a loved one, don’t wait – get help. You can use the Helpline for Adults in Emotional Crisis: 116 123 (open from Monday to Friday from 14.00 p.m. to 22.00 p.m.).