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!