Men And Depression
Men and Depression
Researchers estimate that at least six million men in the United States suffer from a depressive disorder every year.3 Research and clinical evidence reveal that while both women and men can develop the standard symptoms of depression, they often experience depression differently and may have different ways of coping with the symptoms. Men may be more willing to acknowledge fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies, and sleep disturbances rather than feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and excessive guilt. Some researchers question whether the standard definition of depression and the diagnostic tests based upon it adequately capture the condition as it occurs in men.13
Men are more likely than women to report alcohol and drug abuse or dependence in their lifetime; however, there is debate among researchers as to whether substance use is a symptom of underlying depression in men or a co occurring condition that more commonly develops in men. Nevertheless, substance use can mask depression, making it harder to recognize depression as a separate illness that needs treatment.
Instead of acknowledging their feelings, asking for help, or seeking appropriate treatment, men may turn to alcohol or drugs when they are depressed, or become frustrated, discouraged, angry, irritable, and, sometimes, violently abusive. Some men deal with depression by throwing themselves compulsively into their work, attempting to hide their depression from themselves, family, and friends. Other men may respond to depression by engaging in reckless behavior, taking risks, and putting themselves in harms way.
More than four times as many men as women die by suicide in the United States, even though women make more suicide attempts during their lives. In addition to the fact that men attempt suicide using methods that are generally more lethal than those used by women, there may be other factors that protect women against suicide death. In light of research indicating that suicide is often associated with depression, the alarming suicide rate among men may reflect the fact that men are less likely to seek treatment for depression. Many men with depression do not obtain adequate diagnosis and treatment that may be life saving.
More research is needed to understand all aspects of depression in men, including how men respond to stress and feelings associated with depression, how to make men more comfortable acknowledging these feelings and getting the help they need, and how to train physicians to better recognize and treat depression in men. Family members, friends, and employee assistance professionals in the workplace also can play important roles in recognizing depressive symptoms in men and helping them get treatment.
The confusion and disorientation experienced upon awakening after ECT typically clear within an hour.
Studies of brain chemistry, including the effects of antidepressant medications, continue to inform our understanding of the biochemical processes involved in depression.
Tropical Depression Dean drenches central Mexico (USA Today)
Hurricane Dean, at its height a highly destructive Category 5 hurricane, limped across Mexico on Thursday morning as a weakened tropical depression, but still dumped torrential rains that flooded rivers and drenched mudslide-prone mountains.
How to Treat Depression Effectively (Turks.US)
Most people suffer from anxiety at time. You do not have to neglect it since it can be treated. There are heaps of medications that you can use in order to treat such problems. One of which is pharmaceutical medications such as Tranquillizers, Anti-Depressants and Sleeping Tablets.
Depression blamed for child pornography habit (NZPA via Yahoo!Xtra News)
A 49-year-old man caught through an international child pornography sting avoided jail because of the "brittle state" of his psyche.
Indian Institute of Science student commits suicide (The Times of India)
A Ph.D student of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore committed suicide due to 'depression' by hanging himself in his hostel room.
Headway in developing a faster-acting antidepressant (Los Angeles Times)
The key might be provided by studying the effect that ketamine, an anesthetic, has on a neurotransmitter. After years of little progress, scientists are making headway in the search for a better, faster-acting antidepressant. Experiments with an anesthetic called ketamine have yielded important clues about the biology of depression, leading scientists to attack the mood disorder in new ways.
Other Depression Article Snippets:
Antidepressant Medications
"Some individuals may require maintenance ECT (M ECT), which is delivered on an outpatient basis at a rate usually of one treatment weekly, tapered off to bi weekly to monthly for up to one year."
Treatment For Minor Depression
"Lithium has for many years been the treatment of choice for bipolar disorder, as it can be effective in smoothing out the mood swings common to this disorder, but its use must be carefully monitored, as the range between an effective dose and a toxic one is small."
Childhood Depression
"Efforts are underway to develop a skin patch system for one of the newer MAOIs, selegiline."
Causes Of Depression
"Research has shown that anxiety disorderswhich include post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disordercommonly accompany depression."