Society needs to change the stigma around male depression

When we think of a man, we think tough, burly, big, strong, determined, confident and outgoing. We admire them in society for so many reasons, but how often have we stopped to think about the fact that every day they are faced with many of the challenges we are? Without realising it, they have less support than we do to deal with it all.

Beyond Blue, Australia’s depression awareness organisation, reports that one in eight men will experience depression at some point in their lives. Think about the men you know. Your partner, sons, nephews and good friends… We all know more than eight men. So which one will it be?

The truth is that most of us will never know which of these eight, incredibly loved men, will deal with the struggle over their lifetime. Why? Because they don’t seek help in fear of breaking the stereotype I described earlier.

We live in a society that still upholds the stereotype of when men should be like, and the biggest fear is judgment. It is a sad stigma that needs to be broken.

While women are more likely to have depression throughout their lives, men are less likely to seek help for it. This is why male depression is such a profound issue today.

A study done last year at Harvard University found that men struggling with depression are four times more likely to commit suicide than women struggling with the same issues. That is a pretty scary statistic that as a society, we need to address.

Men are allowed to be vulnerable, men are allowed to be sad, men are allowed to seek support and to open up to the help they need.

In the wake of Robin William’s suicide death, so many of us still remain shocked that someone who was so funny, so charismatic and appeared to be so happy, could do something like that. But if we look at it from his point of view, he felt like he didn’t have another choice.

He was the one man in that eight and didn’t want to break the stereotype.

Forever 63 years old, he will sadly serve as a reminder that even the brightest people can be so troubled and as men get older, they are faced with more risk factors that can get them down.

Increases in physical problems, chronic pain, income losses, relationship losses, independence losses and social isolation all become a problem as men (and women for that matter) age.

After turning 60, many aspects of life change. Some with positive effects, some with negative effects and these all can send someone over the edge and leave them battling with the “black dog”.

It is important, as we get older, to know the signs and symptoms of depression and know where we can find help. Whether it ourselves or someone else, knowing what to look for and what to do could save someone’s life.

According to Marcela Slepica the Clinical Services Manager of AccessEAP, the signs of depression can become more prominent with stress. Some of the things to look out for include;

1). Irritable or short temper

People that become irritated quickly or much more easily than normal, may be suffering from stress, depression and anxiety. The best way to treat irritability is to treat the condition that is causing it.

2) Seeing only the negative

It’s easy to fall into the rut of only seeing the negative when stressed. Negative emotions stop us from behaving rationally and seeing situations in their true prospective. If someone appears more negative than normal, this is a warning sign there may be a deeper issue.

3) Using alcohol cigarettes or drugs to relax

The sudden or increased use of prescription drugs, alcohol or cigarettes could be the result of deeper problems. Some people use drugs and alcohol to cope with difficult situations or to avoid feeling down. Prolonged use may be a sign of stress, anxiety or depression.

4) Headaches or other physical health issues

People who regularly suffer from tension headaches, may also be suffering from stress caused by bigger issues like depression or anxiety. Stress is a common trigger of tension headaches and if you suffer regularly it may be a sign that something much bigger is out of balance.

5) Insomnia or difficulty sleeping

Anxiety increases agitation and arousal, which in turn can make it difficult to sleep. Stress also affects sleep by making the body aroused, awake, and alert. People who are under constant stress or who have abnormally exaggerated responses to stress tend to have sleep problems.

So know the warning signs and what to look for in yourself and others, because by knowing those, you may save a life.