Depression in Men
Depression in Men
Fred S. Ward
Abnormal Psychology
Section 002
Spring 2013
Introduction The expression of depression in men can be very complex. There can be additional problems with measuring depression in men than with women. Men use various ways to hide and suppress their depression. Depression in men can be hidden in their being antisocial and participating in risk taking behaviors. Such behaviors can be drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, road rage, extra sexual activities or adventures, gambling, binge drinking and various types of violence. This violence can result also in suicide. Men are three to five times more likely than women to die from suicide. Depression is the most commonly associated condition with mood disorders (Jensen, H., Munk, K. P., and Madsen, S., 2010). A range of feelings are often used by men to describe depression. These feeling can include rejection, disappointment, prolonged grief, annoyance, alienation, isolation, anxiety, fear, defeat, insecurity and desperation. For depression to result from these feelings they need to be felt for a certain period of time and they tend to spiral into a negative outlook on themselves or on life itself (Brownhill, S., Wihelm, K,. Barclay, L., & Schmied, B, 2005). When feelings of depression get too strong or last too long many men then seek to numb the depression. They often do this by engaging in behaviors such as taking drugs or consuming alcohol. They may try to escape from depression by doing the behaviors mentioned or they may try to indulge heavily in a sport or in buying fancy things or in eating too much. There continues to be an increase in suicide rates in older men. This creates a challenge for a better detection method and diagnosis of depression. This increase could indicate that there are many aging depressed men that do not get diagnosed and remain untreated, resulting in suicide for some. More study is needed to determine how men perceive and act in regards to
Fred S. Ward
Abnormal Psychology
Section 002
Spring 2013
Introduction The expression of depression in men can be very complex. There can be additional problems with measuring depression in men than with women. Men use various ways to hide and suppress their depression. Depression in men can be hidden in their being antisocial and participating in risk taking behaviors. Such behaviors can be drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, road rage, extra sexual activities or adventures, gambling, binge drinking and various types of violence. This violence can result also in suicide. Men are three to five times more likely than women to die from suicide. Depression is the most commonly associated condition with mood disorders (Jensen, H., Munk, K. P., and Madsen, S., 2010). A range of feelings are often used by men to describe depression. These feeling can include rejection, disappointment, prolonged grief, annoyance, alienation, isolation, anxiety, fear, defeat, insecurity and desperation. For depression to result from these feelings they need to be felt for a certain period of time and they tend to spiral into a negative outlook on themselves or on life itself (Brownhill, S., Wihelm, K,. Barclay, L., & Schmied, B, 2005). When feelings of depression get too strong or last too long many men then seek to numb the depression. They often do this by engaging in behaviors such as taking drugs or consuming alcohol. They may try to escape from depression by doing the behaviors mentioned or they may try to indulge heavily in a sport or in buying fancy things or in eating too much. There continues to be an increase in suicide rates in older men. This creates a challenge for a better detection method and diagnosis of depression. This increase could indicate that there are many aging depressed men that do not get diagnosed and remain untreated, resulting in suicide for some. More study is needed to determine how men perceive and act in regards to
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