DEPRESSION
"Depression is a lonely disease. You feel like you're the only one going through it, but you're not."
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Depression is a serious but treatable mental health disorder that can affect anyone. While depression is often associated with feelings of sadness and hopelessness, men are more likely to feel anger and rage, take unnecessary risks, and abuse alcohol or drugs.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Persistent pain
Loss of energy
Loss of sex drive
Changes in appetite
Lethargy
Exhaustion
Change in sleep patterns
Restlessness
Alcohol or drug abuse
Feeling guilty
Feeling angry or violent
Losing interest in hobbies
Apathy
Feeling sad or nervous
Feeling alone
Taking unnecessary risks
Thinking about death or suicide
CAUSES
Depression is the result of uncontrollable changes in brain chemistry, often caused by environmental triggers, like stress, divorce, the death of a loved one, or sudden financial troubles. Depression can also be caused by physical afflictions, such as food intolerances, B-vitamin deficiency, or low thyroid (hypothyroidism).
What can I do?
Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to fix depression. It’s highly treatable. In most cases, it can be improved with a combination of lifestyle changes, professional therapy, and medication.
Still, millions of men with depression in the U.S. may be going untreated. If you think you might have depression, do something about it — don't let it defeat you!