Symptoms of Male Depression



What are the Symptoms of Male Depression?

In general symptoms of male depression differ from symptoms of female depression even though both women and men can experience the same symptoms of depression. For better understanding it is always good to categorize symptoms of male depression in four groups: physical, behavioral, emotional and cognitive. Many symptoms are self-explanatory however there are also symptoms of male depression that require an explanation or illustration.

Physical Symptoms of Male Depression:

  • Headache

  • Chronic pain

  • Muscle or joint pain

  • Loss of energy, fatigue

    Behavioral Symptoms of Male Depression:

    Excessive working: He always finds something to do even though there is no need to and at the same time he is complaining that he has no time to enjoy life. Aggressive behavior: Physical or mental abuse is unfortunately one of the most common symptoms of male depression. It should never be tolerated but addressed appropriately; which means getting profession help and treatment.

  • Insomnia (common)

  • Appetite change

  • Restlessness (very common)

  • Blaming others: He never accepts any responsibilities for his mistakes or the situation he is in. For example he is always blaming other for his financial problems.

  • Irritability (common)

  • Being controlling: This is also one of the most common symptoms of male depression and it comes in many forms. One example is “money control”, this happens when man makes his wife explain every dolor she spends and she is always criticized even though there is no objective grounds for that.

    Sometime a depressed man would forbid his wife to socialize or even to talk on the phone. There are many other direct or indirect kinds of control. The point is that any type of control can be a symptom of male depression.

  • Weight gain or loss

    Alcohol Abuse: Alcohol abuse, if not the most common symptom, than it is definitely high up on the list of the most common symptoms of male depression. Men plus alcoholism equals depression. It is simple as that. Alcoholism must be treated in order for depression treatment to be successful.

  • Agitation

  • Risk taking behavior (very common)

  • Appearance neglect

  • Mood swings (less common)

  • Hyper active

  • Early morning awakening: Waking at two in the morning and not being able to go back to sleep.

  • Oversleeping: Sleeping for more that ten hours for a longer period of time.

  • Impotency: Not being able to perform sexually.

    Loss of interest in activities including sex

  • Suicide attempts

  • Conflict creating (common)

  • Social withdrawal (less common)

    Emotional Symptoms of Male Depression:

  • Sadness

  • Hopelessness

  • Worthlessness

  • Jealousy

  • Shame

  • Anger

  • Feeling "lost"

  • Feeling "empty"

  • Not caring for anything

    Cognitive Symptoms of Male Depression:

  • Thinking about suicide

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Having racing thoughts

  • Intrusive thoughts

  • Blocked or empty mind

  • Slowed thinking

    In the behavioral category of symptoms of male depression every symptom is marked as very common, common or less common in men. Symptoms of male depression can be categorized in this and many other ways. However what is the most important thing is to know all of the symptoms of male depression so that depression in men can be recognized.

    Recognizing depression in men is very important because that is the first step toward the treatment and eventually healing. One cannot be helped if he doesn’t know he needs help.

    One important thing to remember is that you can only suspect that someone is depressed (including yourself) but the diagnosis can only be done by a health professional.

    If you think you have recognized symptoms of male depression in someone or yourself you need to go to your physician, psychologist or some other health professional and get the proper diagnosis and treatment.



    Go from Symptoms of Male Depression to Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Home


    Treatment for Male Depression / Signs of Depression in Men / Postpartum Depression in Men / Men Alcohol and Depression / Men and Depression / Male Depression and Suicide Risk Factors / Male Depression and Suicide / Causes of Male Depression / Male Depression / Depression in Men





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