Why men have completely different symptoms of depression

Why men have completely different symptoms of depression

Published 19.03.2024 | By Йосиф

Why men have completely different symptoms of depression

Indifference and sadness – these are believed to be the most common symptoms of depression. But not for men: they experience depressive states in a different way. Why? And what are their symptoms?

In Germany, five out of every 100 men suffer from depression, statistics show. The number of women with depression is twice as high. But men commit suicide three times more often. Specialists believe that depression in men often escapes the attention of doctors, because at the beginning of the disease the symptoms are completely different.

Anger and aggression instead of tears?

Men with depression are more likely to become irritable and aggressive, explains Prof. Anne Maria Möller-Laimkühler, who is a specialist in social psychiatry at the University of Munich. When stressed, men are more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs. Those affected tend to seek relief in frantic work or excessive sports. Many are completely closed in on themselves, says the professor, quoted by the public media ARD.

This does not fit into the “usual” clinical picture of depression, which rather includes exhaustion, listlessness, lack of motivation, tears, and incessant anxious thoughts. Yes, these symptoms also occur in some men, but this is less common.

According to psychotherapist Johannes Fenen, it is difficult for many men to describe their feelings. It is for this reason that many of those affected never realize that they are actually suffering from depression. Added to this are old-fashioned ideals of masculinity associated with strength and power, which are not at all associated with depression.

Perceptions of masculinity, depression and resistance to potential therapy are interrelated, according to a study by the American Psychological Association, ARD said. It involved 19,000 men, and one of the conclusions is: the stronger the attachment to the traditional idea of the male role, the higher the risk of depression and the less often therapeutic support is sought.

Many men seek help only when physical symptoms appear – such as insomnia, palpitations and impaired sexual function. But practicing doctors too rarely in such cases come to the thought that maybe it’s depression. Because general practitioners also usually associate depression with depression, exhaustion and the inability to experience joy, explains Professor Möller-Laimkühler.

Based on this observation, she and her team developed a mechanism for diagnosing depression that takes into account the gender of patients. This mechanism looks specifically for typically male symptoms, and with success: the team was able to identify 18% more depressions in men than were registered using standard procedures.

But why are the forms of depression in men so different from those in women? One of the reasons is the specific biochemical reaction in response to stress. In men, in such a situation, not only testosterone is released, but also vasopressin – this hormone is related to aggression and defensive behavior.

In addition, in men, depression is often “unlocked” by other factors. Women usually become depressed when they are immersed in chronic conflicts in their social relationships. For men, however, this happens after separation, due to job loss, retirement, loneliness or lack of recognition at work – these are the risk factors listed by Prof. Möller-Laimkühler.

Therapy specifically for men

More and more clinics offer special therapy for men suffering from depression. An essential element is “male company”, explains Yanina Tillmans, chief physician at the Warendorf clinic near Hanover. In group discussions between men, it is common to talk about impaired sexual function due to depression, such as decreased libido and erectile difficulties. And most men usually admit that in the presence of women they would never talk about these matters.

Specialists from the clinic also place a lot of emphasis on sport, because it stimulates the release of hormones that increase mood and vitality – such as dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. The treatment includes training for both strength and endurance, archery, table tennis, climbing and yoga, as well as various exercises for conscious perception of the body and the world around us, and in addition, the so-called . mindfulness. The purpose of all exercises is to improve concentration, self-confidence and sense of one’s own body. All things that are often missing, especially in depressed men, notes ARD.

https://www.dnevnik.bg/sviat/2024/03/16/4601760_zashto_mujete_imat_suvsem_drugi_simptomi_na_depresiia/