Changes in sleep habits, such as insomnia or feelings of exhaustion, and appetite changes are often recognized as signs of depression in both men and women, but it’s less well known that headaches; joint, back, or muscle pain; dizziness; chest pain; and digestive problems also may be symptoms. Men report these physical symptoms more often than women, although they are often unaware the symptoms are linked to depression.
I asked my friend Ted, who struggles with depression, if that’s true — if he gets more mad than sad.
“I rarely feel anger when I’m going through a depressed phase,” says Ted. “I often don’t feel much at all, which is particularly awful. Tears come and go with no perceptible trigger — a real bonus is when I’m in public. I find it difficult to open up about this in general, but others open up to me, and that, in turn, helps me bring my issues up for discussion.”
This made me think that while men can experience depression differently, we need to be wary of throwing all mood disorders into two big boxes: male and female. I know plenty of women who respond with rage, not tears, and many men who would be smart to buy stock in Kleenex.
I agree with the Australian professors. The more men — especially celebrity men — discussing symptoms in Tweets and YouTube bites, the better chances we have of increasing the statistic of men who seek treatment for depression.
Padalecki recently told Variety:
I, for a long time, have been passionate about people dealing with mental illness and struggling with depression, or addiction, or having suicidal thoughts and, strangely enough, it’s almost like the life I live, as well. These characters that we play on Supernatural, Sam and Dean, are always dealing with something greater than themselves, and I’ve sort of learned from the two of them that they get through it with each other, and with help and with support.
“There’s no shame in having to fight every day,” Padalecki says. “If you’re still alive to hear these words or read this interview, then you are winning your war. You’re here.”
This article originally appeared on EverydayHealth.com: Depression and Men: Why It’s Hard to Ask For Help
Article Appeared @https://www.yahoo.com/health/depression-and-men-why-its-hard-to-ask-for-help-124848688068.html