Depression in Men
Depression and anxiety continue to be significant health problems for Australian men. Recent research demonstrates that one in eight men will experience depression and one in four men will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime*. Depression is more than just a low mood – it’s an illness that requires treatment - seeking help early is a good first step to recovery. With the right treatment, most people recover from depression and anxiety.Depression affects both men and women, but quite often what they experience and how they respond is different. Men are more likely than women to recognise and describe the physical symptoms of depression, such as feeling tired or losing weight. They may also acknowledge feeling irritable or angry, rather than saying they feel low.
Because of this, depression in men is often not picked up by themselves or by others – including doctors. If depression is not detected, it can’t be treated and then it has the potential to become severe and disabling. Depression is a known high risk factor for suicide - in Australia men account for 80% of deaths by suicide*.
It is vital that more people learn to recognise depression in men because depression is treatable and effective treatments are available.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Depression?
- Depression is more than just a low mood - it is a serious illness that requires attention
- People with depression find it hard to function every day
- Depression can have serious effects on physical and mental health
What Factors can Contribute to Depression in Men?
- Using drugs and alcohol
- Physical health problems
- Relationship problems
- Employment problems
- Social isolation
- Significant change in living arrangements (eg: separation or divorce)
How Common is Depression?
Very common. Over one million Australian adults live with depression each year. On average, one in eight men and one in five women will experience depression in their adult lifetime. It's important that men seek treatment for depression as untreated depression may become more severe, and in some cases, lead to suicide.
Is Depression Treatable?
Different types of depression require different types of treatment. This may include physical exercise for preventing and treating mild depression, though to psychological treatments and/or drug treatments for moderate or severe depression.
How Do I Get Treatment?
There are some things men can do to get the treatment they need:
- Be proactive: As with physical health problems, the earlier men get help, the faster they can recover. That's why it's very important to get help at the first sign of any problems.
- Be direct: It's important to give the doctor or mental health professional the full picture. Writing down feelings or questions before seeing a mental health professional can help men be more direct and makes it less likely they will forget to tell the doctor the important things. As a way of raising the issue when visiting the doctor, it may be useful to take a completed depression checklist along, such as the one on the beyondblue website. Go to www.beyondblue.org.au and click on Symptom Checklist.
Finding the right mental health professional is very important. If a person doesn't feel comfortable with their doctor or other health professional, or suspects their mental health isn't being managed effectively, they should choose another doctor or get a second opinion. On the beyondblue website there is a list of doctors who have completed special mental health training and have expertise in treating depression and anxiety-related disorders. Go to www.beyondblue.org.au and click on Get Help and then Find a Doctor or other Mental Health Practitioner.
*Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. 2007.
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