More than 6 million men are affected by depression each year in the U.S. There are about twice as many women as men diagnosed with the illness, which leads to the false stereotype that men do not get depressed. It is unknown in the medical community whether depression occurs less often in men, or whether it is just diagnosed less frequently. With help from a mental health professional, the effects of the illness can eventually go away. The disease effects people differently, so symptoms and improvement may show themselves.

Types

There are three types of depression that affect men. The most common is major depressive disorder. There may be only one episode of it, or it may be recurring throughout his lifetime. Dysthymia is less common and not as severe as major depression, but is chronic and episodes are longer in duration. Dysthymic men may also have bouts of major depressive disorder at other times in their lives. Bipolar disorder features extreme highs and lows in mood.

Signs

Common symptoms include feelings of extreme sadness, worthlessness and guilt. There is a lack of interest to participate in things that used to be fun or enjoyable, such as hobbies. There is a noticeable change in eating and sleeping habits. Sufferers of depressive disorder may also experience restlessness and become annoyed easily.

Physical symptoms include frequent headaches, problems with digestion and chronic pain. A depression awareness study by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) found that men could describe these symptoms without being aware they were depressed. Many of these men were hesitant to seek help from a mental health professional. Reason cited were fear of loss of respect from friends and family and negative repercussions from their employer of anyone knew.

Some physical illnesses can have similar symptoms and effects on men as depression, so a visit to the doctor is important for improvement and recovery. Low testosterone levels, viral infections and thyroid conditions are some of the physical ailments that mimic or mask depressive disorder.

Recovery Tips

Treatment includes psychotherapy and medication. The disease affects people differently, so there is no one tried and true way to overcome the symptoms. It takes time for the symptoms to fade, so those suffering from the illness should not expect it to disappear overnight. The first ordinary signs that depression is lifting are a change in both diet and sleeping habits. The better the patient feels, the more active he will be.

Meanwhile, those suffering from the illness should deliberately try to engage in some activities, such as mild exercise, attending a social dinner, movie or spectator sports. For men with religious beliefs, attending a church service or social event may be therapeutic. Engaging in activities that make him feel better helps.