Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDifferences in Male DepressionSymptomsTriggersCopingTalking to Your Healthcare ProviderSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Differences in Male Depression
Symptoms
Triggers
Coping
Talking to Your Healthcare Provider
Summary
Signs ofdepressionin men may include physical symptoms like headaches, aches and pains, or fatigue as well as emotional symptoms like hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, and anger or aggression.
Both men and women experience depression, but the symptoms may differ, as well as recognition and the desire to seek help. However, it is important to ask for help if there is a concern for depression, as it is a serious condition.
Read more in this article about depression in men, including symptoms,triggers, and coping.
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A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.Sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. People are most often assigned male or female at birth based on their external anatomy; some people do not fit into that sex binary and are intersex.Gender describes a person’s internal sense of self as a woman, man, nonbinary person, or another gender, and the associated social and cultural ideas about roles, behaviors, expressions, and characteristics.Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way. For example, terms that describe gender (“woman,” “man”) may be used when terms for sex (“female,” “male”) are more appropriate.To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.Sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. People are most often assigned male or female at birth based on their external anatomy; some people do not fit into that sex binary and are intersex.Gender describes a person’s internal sense of self as a woman, man, nonbinary person, or another gender, and the associated social and cultural ideas about roles, behaviors, expressions, and characteristics.Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way. For example, terms that describe gender (“woman,” “man”) may be used when terms for sex (“female,” “male”) are more appropriate.To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.
Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way. For example, terms that describe gender (“woman,” “man”) may be used when terms for sex (“female,” “male”) are more appropriate.
To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Many studies have been done on the differences indepressionsymptoms and diagnosis in men and women. However, there is currently no single agreed-upon hypothesis to explain these differences.
Different ideas have been put forth, including ones saying male and female depression are separate syndromes, as well as men just experiencing different symptoms of the same disease.
Stigmas About Mental Health
Research has shown that, generally, women receive a diagnosis of depression twice as often as men.Studies have been performed to look for reasons why this occurs.
Some studies have suggested men may experience more “externalizing symptoms” like irritability, bouts of anger,substance use, self-destructive behavior, or increasing their work. These ideas stem from the thought that men may struggle going against the traditional gender norms, and present their depression differently.
While there has been consistent data that women are diagnosed with depression more often than men, some studies have shown that it equals out when taking into account other non-traditional symptoms.
Depression in Men vs. WomenStudies have shown a consistent prevalence of depression in women vs. men being 2:1, but it is unclear if this is due to differences in how men and women present and cope with depression.
Depression in Men vs. Women
Studies have shown a consistent prevalence of depression in women vs. men being 2:1, but it is unclear if this is due to differences in how men and women present and cope with depression.
Stigma: Definition, Signs, Impact, and Coping
Signs of Depression in Men
While depression in males does not cause specific symptoms itself, there may be higher numbers of men experiencing alternative symptoms, like irritability, anger, and decreased impulse control.
Every person experiencing depression has different symptoms. There are common ones that many people experience and less common ones that someone may not have. It also depends on the individual man, how many symptoms they have, and how severe the symptoms are.
Depression can cause both physical and emotional symptoms. Many men may see their doctor or healthcare provider for physical symptoms that are actually due to mental health issues.Men may also experience emotional symptoms that differ from what is typically associated with depression.Some common symptoms include:
Suicide Helpline
How Signs of Depression Feel and Look
Male Depression Triggers
Postpartum
Postpartum depression, which is often described as a major depressive episode that happens soon after the birth of a child, occurs in about 8% to 10% of fathers. It generally develops within three to six months of the child’s birth, but sometimes builds over a year.
Risk factors for developing postpartum depression in men include prior history of depression, poverty, maternal depression, marital issues, andunintended pregnancy. It could also be related to sleep deprivation and circadian rhythm disruption, which have been seen as triggers in women.
Financial
Financial stressors can be sudden or ongoing, and as a result, they can contribute to or exacerbate depression. Economic conditions have been associated with mental illness, with recessions increasing the risk of depression due to unemployment, job stress, staff reductions, decreased wages, and a decrease in the availability of mental health services.
A recent study cited that populations within the United States who havelower assetshave a greater burden of mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical Reasons
Depression and Chronic IllnessDepression is common in people living with chronic illnesses, including:Alzheimer’s diseaseAutoimmune diseasesCancerHeart diseaseDiabetesEpilepsyMultiple sclerosisHIV/AIDSHypothyroidismParkinson’s diseaseStrokes
Depression and Chronic Illness
Depression is common in people living with chronic illnesses, including:Alzheimer’s diseaseAutoimmune diseasesCancerHeart diseaseDiabetesEpilepsyMultiple sclerosisHIV/AIDSHypothyroidismParkinson’s diseaseStrokes
Depression is common in people living with chronic illnesses, including:
Aging
Depression is not a normal part of aging, but it does often affect older adults. However, it is often not recognized or treated in this population. This can lead to a decline in health and poor functioning.
Older adults with depression may need more assistance with self-care and day-to-day activities, and have a harder time recovering from physical illnesses.
In severe cases of depression, memory and thinking can be affected, causing an illness calledpseudodementia.
Ways Men Can Cope
Many times, friends or family members may notice that someone is exhibiting signs of depression before the individual notices themselves.
It is important for loved ones to support that individual through theevaluation and diagnosisprocess. Collaborative care from healthcare providers, combined with social support, can help men cope when experiencing depression.
Coping can come in the form of both personal and lifestyle changes, as well as both non-medication and medication treatments.
Ways to Help Your DepressionMen can take many steps on their own that may help their mood and depression, including:Seeing and interacting with trusted peopleExercising or just increasing the level of physical activityBreaking down tasks into smaller pieces that are more manageableWaiting until depression improves to make big decisionsMaintaining a routine, like eating and sleeping at predictable timesAvoiding substances, like alcohol and drugs
Ways to Help Your Depression
Men can take many steps on their own that may help their mood and depression, including:Seeing and interacting with trusted peopleExercising or just increasing the level of physical activityBreaking down tasks into smaller pieces that are more manageableWaiting until depression improves to make big decisionsMaintaining a routine, like eating and sleeping at predictable timesAvoiding substances, like alcohol and drugs
Men can take many steps on their own that may help their mood and depression, including:
Depression Coping Skills: Steps to Managing Symptoms
Non-Medication
Treatment for depression typically involves psychotherapy, ortalk therapy. Therapy can help teach new ways of thinking, behaving, and interacting, as well as provide coping strategies and change habits that may have worsened mood.
Certain therapy methods are proven to help depression, specificallycognitive behavioral therapy(CBT),interpersonal therapy(IPT), and problem-solving therapy. Therapy is often tried first or in conjunction with medication, and it is all dependent on the individual.
The Different Types of Psychotherapists
Medication
Medications used to treat depression are called antidepressants. Generally, symptoms related to sleep, appetite, and concentration get better before someone’s mood.
However, antidepressants can take up to several weeks to become effective. It is important to stay on the medicine for this long before making any decisions.
If you are feeling better or not noticing any improvement, consult a healthcare provider prior to stopping the medicine.
Medications for DepressionSeveral types of medication are used to treat depression in both men and women. These include:Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists
Medications for Depression
Several types of medication are used to treat depression in both men and women. These include:Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists
Several types of medication are used to treat depression in both men and women. These include:
Side effects can happen with any medication, and ones that occur with antidepressants include:
Many of the side effects go away with time, but if there are any concerns, speak with your doctor or healthcare provider. They will be able to help make the best plan moving forward.
For sexual side effects, which are particularly associated with SSRIs, your provider may prescribe an alternative antidepressant or lower the dosage.
It can be hard to start a conversation about mental health with your doctor or healthcare provider. If you are unsure where to start, mention any concerns to your primary care provider.
Other tips for speaking with a healthcare provider about mental health include:
Do I Have Depression?
Men can experience depression symptoms that are different than women. In addition to typical symptoms like feelings of hopelessness and loss of interest in activities, men may also experience symptoms like anger, irritability, and risk-taking behavior.
The differences in symptoms between men and women may have to do with differences in gender roles or the way men externalize their feelings.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, talk to your healthcare provider. Medications, therapy, or a combination of both may help you manage your symptoms.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Mental Health.Men and depression.
Zartaloudi A.Exploring the psychological landscape: Understanding men’s journey with depression.Res HighDis Health Res. 2023;9:78-89. doi:10.9734/bpi/rhdhr/v9/19484D
Cavanagh A, Wilson CJ, Kavanagh DJ, Caputi P.Differences in the expression of symptoms in men versus women with depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2017;25(1):29-38. doi:10.1097/HRP.0000000000000128
Scarff JR.Postpartum depression in men.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):11-14.
Ettman CK, Abdalla SM, Cohen GH, Sampson L, Vivier PM, Galea S.Low assets and financial stressors associated with higher depression during COVID-19 in a nationally representative sample of US adults.J Epidemiol Community Health. 2021;75(6):501-508. doi:10.1136/jech-2020-215213
National Institute for Mental Health.Chronic illness and mental health: recognizing and treating depression.
Mental Health America.Depression in older adults.
National Institute for Mental Health.Depression.
US Food and Drug Administration.Depression medicines.
National Institute for Mental Health.Taking control of your mental health: tips for talking with your healthcare provider.
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