Today, depression is considered one of the most serious diseases. Its wide distribution is associated with increased levels of stress and negative emotions. Modern people spend most of their time at work, often do not have the opportunity to spend quality time with family or friends. Despite the fact that depression is recognized as a disease, some still do not seek to recognize it as their own, and another part of society considers it a manifestation of laziness and unwillingness to change something in their lives. For example, many men are still reluctant to acknowledge the need for treatment for depression.
The problem of recognizing depression in society
There are still a lot of myths and misconceptions around depression. For a long time, it was not accepted to consult a therapist about her treatment. And today, some people think that such a serious mental disorder can be treated with physical labor or everyday worries, while others mistakenly believe that negative emotions and depressive episodes are one and the same thing.
Every person in life has sad moments, setbacks, stresses and tragic events in life. All of them can serve as the causes of the development of depression. Among its main signs are a lack of interest in favorite activities, unwillingness to communicate with people, a pessimistic attitude towards life, and in especially difficult situations – suicidal thoughts and actions.
Depression affects both men and women. But the diagnosis and treatment of depression in men is hampered by the fact that they do not always seek to recognize a mental health problem and are not inclined to discuss it. Some people are still not ready for psychotherapeutic treatment, believing that “antidepressants are turned into a vegetable”, and depressive episodes are “a consequence of laziness and whimsy”. The problem is compounded by public attitudes prohibiting men from showing emotions. Therefore, in a depressed state, a man can become irritable and aggressive.
Men, emotions and depressions
As a rule, men are less interested in their own mental and physical health than women. But this does not mean that they do not experience any feelings – they simply are not taught to do this without harming the health of others. Accumulated stress results in increased irritability, aggression or abuse of alcohol and smoking. And not every man decides to turn to a specialist.
Since men cannot always pronounce their feelings, they can deny them for a long time. This creates difficult situations for families and children, as men in depressed states are prone to increased irritability and aggression. Among the main causes of depressive conditions are financial problems, conflicts at work, inability to find work, death of a loved one or divorce.
During depressive episodes in men, you can often encounter symptoms such as a loss of interest in habitual activities, a desire to spend time alone, irritability and aggression. Also, many patients have problems with the gastrointestinal tract in the form of diarrhea or nausea. A common sign of depression is a reluctance to have physical intimacy with women. And symptoms such as persistent fatigue, insomnia or hypersomnia occur in both sexes.
Untreated depressive disorder can lead to sad consequences. Many men who have experienced a depressive episode for a long time and refuse to acknowledge it are prone to commit suicide. Often satellites of depressive disorders are alcohol, drug or gambling addiction, risky behavior. The situation is aggravated by the fact that it is difficult for close people to persuade a man to start treatment.
Treatment for Depression in Men
Timely treatment of depression increases the patient’s chances of returning to normal. First of all, psychotherapy helps to cope with mental disorders. Therapeutic conversations with a specialist make it possible to replace negative attitudes with more useful ones, solve personal problems and work out psychological traumas that led to the occurrence of depressive episodes.
The goal of psychotherapy is to teach the patient to effectively manage the effects of stress and prevent the recurrence of new depressive episodes. It helps to identify the main problems that prevent a person from interacting with others, and learn how to tolerate stress. In combination with therapeutic treatment, medication can be used. Drugs can have side effects, so you need to select them under the strict supervision of a psychotherapist. In cases of particularly severe depressive episodes, hospitalization may be required.
Successful treatment of mental disorders also depends on the patient’s lifestyle. First of all, he needs adequate sleep, rejection of bad habits and physical activity. A healthy lifestyle promotes the formation of more positive attitudes and increases the effectiveness of therapy. It is not necessary to spend 3 hours in the gym or follow a strict diet. Physical activity should be fun, and nutrition should be balanced.
The increase in the number of mental disorders, including depressive episodes, is associated with public attitudes towards universal success. Often the cause of daily stress is a feeling of anxiety, a feeling of dissatisfaction from life and powerlessness from the inability to cope with problems. If a person acutely feels that he “does not reach” the desired level of success, intelligence or well-being, this can lead to the development of a depressive episode.
Depressive states are hard experienced not only by the patient, but also by those close to him. He may encounter an ambiguous and even aggressive reaction to his own feelings. Not always surrounded by men or women are understanding interlocutors who are ready to help or support. Unfortunately, a person in a depressed state often faces the depreciation of their experiences, as well as unconstructive and meaningless recommendations.
Supporting loved ones, healthy habits, and timely seeking help from a specialist are the main components of a successful treatment of mental and physical diseases, including depressive disorders.