Experts: Men May Not Recognize The Symptoms Of Depression

May Is National Mental Health Month

New research suggests that men are less likely to seek treatment for depression, and that men die by suicide at four times the rate of women.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), recently announced the launch of the first national campaign to raise awareness that depression is a major public health problem affecting about 6 million men each year.

The NIMH campaign is called “Real Men. Real Depression.” The efforts by these experts comes at the beginning of Mental Health Month, a national recognition of mental health issues encountered by millions of Americans.

“For generations men have been told that they have to act tough,” said US Surgeon General Richard Carmona.  “Today we’re saying to men, it’s okay to talk to someone about what you’re thinking, or how you’re feeling, or if you’re hurting.

" We are attacking the stigma that tough guys can’t seek help," Carmona said. "They can and they should.”

Research studies have found that depression affects twice as many women as men. However, research and clinical findings reveal that women and men may talk differently – or in the case of men, not talk – about the symptoms of depression.

Men may not recognize their irritability, sleep problems, loss of interest in work or hobbies, and withdrawal as signs of depression. This may result in fewer men recognizing their depression and asking for the help they need.

“This campaign is aimed at men," said Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the NIMH.  "The hope here is to address men who may not even recognize that depression is the problem or that much can be done to help them. Effective treatments are available and the success rate is very high - more than 80 percent - for people who seek help.”

Depression is a serious medical condition that affects the body, mind, and behavior, NIMH experts say. Depression can strike anyone regardless of age, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, or gender. Symptoms of depression vary among individuals.

Instead of acknowledging their feelings, asking for help, or seeking appropriate treatment, men with depression may be more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs, or to become frustrated, discouraged, angry, or irritable. Some men may throw themselves compulsively into their work or hobbies, attempting to hide their depression from themselves, family, and friends; other men may respond to depression by engaging in reckless behavior.

“This is an important area of research,” said Dr. Dennis Charney, chief of the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program at the NIMH. “We need to understand how men respond to stress and symptoms associated with depression, and how to alert physicians to better recognize and treat depressive disorders in men.”

“Men lead very complex lives, balancing many responsibilities,” Dr. Insel said. “Depression can impair their ability to be successful.”

Older men are especially prone to avoid asking for help, says Dr. Jurgen Unutzer, an associate professor of psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Unutzer and his colleagues surveyed 1,801 adults age 60 and older in 18 primary-care clinics in five states. They found 32 percent of women had received treatment for depression in the three months before the study, compared to only 22 percent of men.

"Women were 50 percent more likely to have had treatment for depression," Unutzer says. "We are missing a tremendous opportunity to help men."

Most of the people Unutzer treats for depression are women. When he treats men, they often come because their wives have asked them to seek help.

"It's a very difficult thing for men to talk about it," Unutzer says. "They try to minimize it. When I ask them about their symptoms, they tend to say, 'Oh, it's not that bad.'"

But that doesn't mean they're not suffering, he says.

Always consult your physician for more information.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Depending upon age and the type of mood disorder present, a person may exhibit different symptoms of depression.

The following are the most common symptoms of a mood disorder. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.

Symptoms may include:

• persistent feelings of sadness

• feeling hopeless or helpless

• having low self-esteem

• feeling inadequate

• excessive guilt

• feelings of wanting to die

• loss of interest in usual activities or activities once enjoyed

• difficulty with relationships

• sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia, hypersomnia)

• changes in appetite or weight

• decreased energy

• difficulty concentrating

• a decrease in the ability to make decisions

• suicidal thoughts or attempts

• frequent physical complaints (e.g., headache, stomach ache, fatigue)

• running away or threats of running away from home

• hypersensitivity to failure or rejection

• irritability, hostility, aggression

In mood disorders, these feelings appear more intense than what a person may normally feel from time to time. It is also of concern if these feelings continue over a period of time, or interfere with an individual's interest in family, friends, community, or work. Any person who expresses thoughts of suicide should be evaluated immediately.

The symptoms of mood disorders may resemble other conditions or psychiatric problems.

Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

 Online Resources

(Our Organization is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.

American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Men's Health Network

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Mental Health Association

May 2003

May Is National Mental Health Month

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Gear Up for the Greens

Go Easy on That Elbow

Old Ankle Sprains May Need More Attention

Online Resources

In Other Men's Health News:

Gear Up for the Greens

For many dedicated golfers, warm days can't come soon enough. But while your clubs are at the ready, there are certain exercises you can do to get out on the links in shape, according to the PGA National Resort and Spa.

Men across the US will up their fitness during Running and Fitness Week May 11-17.

PGA National Resort and Spa experts suggest experienced golfers do two sets of repetitions of each of the following stretches:

Incline push-ups - like regular pushups but done on an incline; perform these to improve posture and upper body strength.

Wall side raises - to strengthen the shoulder muscles. Stand with your back against a wall with your feet about 18 inches away and your arms relaxed by your side. Hold dumbbells in your hands and slowly raise your arms to shoulder height out from your sides and back down.

Sit to stands (squats) - to strengthen the big muscles of the lower body. Sit in a chair with your hands crossed in front of your shoulders. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly stand while squeezing your buttocks and return to your original position.

Rotary torso extensions - to keep your turn flexible and strong for longer drives. Lie flat on your back on the floor with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Cross one foot over the other knee and rotate your torso to the left and right. Alternate sides.

Incline lunges - to strengthen and stretch the hips, which will help you maintain good power and rotation in your swing. Standing with one foot on a chair or bench, slide your grounded foot back so your heel is off the ground. Slowly lunge forward until your front knee is aligned over the toe.

If you have an existing medical condition, or are just starting an exercise program, be sure to consult your physician prior to beginning the program to make sure the exercise program that you choose is designed with your health and wellness top of mind.

Go Easy on That Elbow

Tennis elbow and its cousin, golfer's elbow, are not just for tennis and golf players.

They can affect anyone who engages in repetitive movements, even away from the court or the green.

Repetitive motion tends to weaken the tendons in the elbow area, making them prone to tearing. With tennis elbow, it's the tendon on the outside of the elbow that is damaged.

With golfer's elbow, it's the tendon on the inside of the elbow. In both cases, the person feels pain in the elbow area and often has difficult performing such simple tasks as gripping a coffee cup or extending the forearm fully.

Experts suggets that the first step to treating tennis or golfer's elbow is to stop the activity that caused it, take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, and apply ice to the elbow. A compression band wrapped around the forearm may reduce pain.

The best strategy is prevention. Make sure your equipment is suitable - that means a lightweight tennis racquet and a proper grip on your racquet or club.

The Mayo Clinic recommends having a pro check out your golf swing to make sure there is not too much wrist movement.

Always warm up thoroughly before playing.

The American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine suggests trying a strengthening/stretching exercise.

First, support your forearm on a flat surface; hold a one-to-two pound weight in the hand. Keep the palm face down while slowly extending your wrist. Bring the weight up, then bend it back down. Repeat the exercise 10 times slowly, then switch arms.

Next, do the same exercise with your palm facing up. You can substitute a loop of rubber tubing for the weight. Attach one end to a table leg or hold it on the floor with your foot to provide resistance.

Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Old Ankle Sprains May Need More Attention

If a person has suffered an ankle sprain in the past, there is an increased risk for more serious foot or ankle damage.

It's estimated that one in four sports injuries involves the foot or ankle. A majority of those foot and ankle injuries are the result of incomplete rehabilitation of earlier injuries, say experts at the recent annual scientific meeting of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

People who are at particular risk for those kinds of injuries are newly active baby boomers who are aging and trying to improve their physical condition by getting back into sports and fitness.

Experts recommend having ankles checked for chronic instability caused by sprains and other injuries from years ago that may not have healed properly.

Both weekend athletes and professional athletes often underestimate how serious a sprain can be. The experts say these individuals hurry to get back into their sport or activity without taking the time necessary for proper rehabilitation of the injury.

A sprain that occurred years ago can leave residual weakness that is not noticed while doing normal daily activities. But physical activity can further damage improperly healed ligaments and result in persistent pain and swelling, the experts say.

Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.