Depression in men is as common as depression in women. It is a serious but treatable medical condition and as I mentioned before it is a brain disease that affects both men and women. Traditionally it is assumed that depression is a disease that affects women rather than men. But the real fact is that men suffer from depression just as often as women but they are less likely to ask for help. Contrary to the myth, depression is a treatable disease and it is better to seek help at the initial stages itself.
Depression in men: silent sufferer
At this stage it is important for us to understand why men are less likely to ask help if they are suffering from depression. Actually the situation for men becomes bad because of the way they think about themselves as well as the way the society thinks about them. Men more often position themselves in the society as competitive, powerful and successful even if they are undergoing great personal turmoil which is affecting their psychological health. The reason for this behaviour comes from the traditional thinking in the society which does not approve of fragile or vulnerable men who talk about their feelings and emotions. In this kind of scenario men tend to feel that they should rely on themselves and therefore they are less likely to discuss their problems with their friends, loved ones or their Doctors.
Depression in men: Rejection by the partner
The irony of the situation is that this traditional view of how men should be always tough and self-reliant is also held by some women. It has been seen in many cases where when men own up their depression they actually get rejected by their partners. this is a great tragedy. Women need to pause and think about the scenario on what would happen if the situation gets reversed. In normal situations it has been seen that Men don't leave their depressed partners to fend for themselves. Medical professionals also get caught in this web of hiding the facts because of the traditional views prevalent in the society. They may not diagnose depression in men when they should. this avoidance of the medical problem boomerangs in a later stage with serious consequences.
Depression in Men: Treatable disease
We need to accept the fact that depression has to be diagnosed and treated no matter if you are a woman or man and society should accept the reality that men are as prone to depression as women. Whether you're a company executive, a construction worker, a writer, a police officer, or a student; whether you are rich or poor; surrounded by loved ones or alone; you are not immune to depression. Some factors, however, such as family history, undue stress, the loss of a loved one, or serious illnesses can make you more vulnerable to depression. The good news is that depression is treatable but if it is left untreated, it can lead to personal, family, and financial difficulties. with appropriate diagnosis and treatment, however, most people recover. The darkness disappears, hope for the future returns, and energy and interest in life becomes stronger than ever. The biggest requirement for a person who is suffering from depression is acceptance of the disease and the biggest help that the family and the society can do is to stand solidly with the patient and create necessary environment for rapid and speedy recovery.
Depression in Men: Signs and symptoms of Depression
We have to understand that signs and symptoms of depression can vary from person to person. not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms; some people suffer many. The severity of symptoms can again vary among individuals and also over time. still we can generalize and make an outline of the various signs and symptoms that may be seen in a person in isolation or in combination. these signs and symptoms are
1. Persistent sadness, anxiousness, or empty mood
2. Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
3. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
4. Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
5. Losing interest in familial and social relationships
6. Decreased energy, fatigue, being slowed down
7. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
8. Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
9. Appetite and/or weight changes i.e. weight loss and loss of appetite or the opposite
10. Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
11. Restlessness, irritability
12. Persistent physical symptoms like weight loss, loss of appetite
13. loss of sex drive, lapses in personal hygiene such as not bathing or shaving as regularly
The above mentioned are the various signs and symptoms of depression which may manifest as behavioural changes noticed by other people who interact with a depressed person. Other people may feel that
1. The person is performing less well at work
2. The person is unusually quiet, unable to talk about things
3. The person is worrying about things more than usual and he is more irritable than usual
4. The person is complaining more about vague physical problems
Apart from this we need to study and analyze the following below mentioned topics to understand depression in men and initiate necessary remedial methods
1. Types of Depression
2. Treatment for Depression
3. Getting help from multiple resources
4. How do men cope with depression
5. Depression and relationships
6. Separation and Divorce and the incidence of depression in men
7. Sex and depression
8. Pregnancy and children and the incidence of depression in men
9. Unemployment and retirement and depression in men
10. Gay men and depression
11. Depression and suicide
12. Depression and violence
13. Helping men with depression
14. Tips to prevent depression in your man
So friends if you see the signs and symptoms of depression in either you or the man that you care about, then it is important to talk to your healthcare provider, or check getting help for more information.

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yeah I had an 'unspecified medical condition' when I went to jail too....they didn't care