September 9, 2009

Real men get the blues, and more: combating depression

By John B. Reynolds

Depression is a serious medical condition affecting more than 6 million men in the United States, but help is available.

Dr. Susanne Bennett, a psychotherapist in private practice and an assistant professor at The Catholic University of America’s National Catholic School of Social Service, said that men suffer from depression for the same reasons women do: biological and neurological imbalances, which may be triggered by an event such as a loved one’s death or may be related to an early childhood condition.

Citing the American Psychiatric Association in Washington, Bennett confirmed that reported cases of depression in women occur roughly twice as frequently as reported cases in men. But she added that men may be less prone than women to recognize the symptoms of depression, to accept them as such or to seek help even if they do admit that they are depressed.

This is also what the National Institute of Mental Health found in conducting focus groups to assess depression awareness.

In a booklet titled “Men and Depression” published in conjunction with its “Real Men, Real Depression” public-awareness campaign, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that men “expressed concern about seeing a mental-health professional or going to a mental-health clinic, thinking that people would find out and that this might have a negative impact on their job security, promotion potential or health insurance benefits.” Men feared that being labeled with a mental illness diagnosis could cause them to lose the respect of family and friends, or lessen their community standing. Thus, instead of seeking diagnosis and treatment, men may seek solace in alcohol, drugs or working compulsively.

The booklet explained that “depression is a serious medical condition that affects the body, mood and thoughts. It affects the way one eats and sleeps, one’s self-concept and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood.”

Both women and men can develop standard depression symptoms. However, women and men may cope differently with the symptoms. “Men may be more willing to report fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies rather than feelings of sadness, worthlessness or excessive guilt,” said the booklet.

Other symptoms include feelings of hopelessness, appetite and/or weight changes, and persistent physical disorders that do not respond to treatment.

“Men and Depression” also referenced research showing that in the United States, over any given one-year period, “depressive illnesses affect 12 percent of women (more than 12 million women), and nearly 7 percent of men (more than 6 million men).” Though women try to commit suicide more frequently than men, “four times as many men as women die by suicide in the United States.” (1-800-SUICIDE is a toll-free, 24-hour hotline for those in need.)

Bennett stressed that proper diagnosis is critical and that a thorough medical examination should be the first step to discerning whether the depression symptoms might be the result of a medical condition.

Medications used to treat certain medical conditions may generate side-effects that mimic depression symptoms, she cautioned. But by asking questions and conducting tests, a medical doctor can determine if the patient’s symptoms really have to do with depression or something else altogether. From there, various medical and social services professionals can establish the proper diagnosis and develop the proper treatment plans.

While concurring that medication helps in some cases, Bennett added that psychotherapy—talk therapy—is a valuable tool as well, and that often the two are used in conjunction.

The good news, mental-health professions agree, is that more than 80 percent of those suffering from depression respond to such treatments.