Depression is a pervasive mental health issue that affects millions worldwide, but it is not a one-size-fits-all disorder. In men, depression often goes unrecognized and undiagnosed due to the subtlety of its symptoms and pervasive cultural and societal expectations about how men should express emotions.
How Depression Manifests Differently in Men
Understanding how depression presents in men is crucial for early identification and treatment. While sadness and a loss of interest in life’s pleasures are typical, men might experience and direct these feelings very differently from women.
- Anger: Instead of appearing sad, men with depression are more likely to become irritable or have violent outbursts of temper. Unfortunately, these symptoms are not “classic” signs of depression, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.
- Physical pain: Men might experience physical symptoms as a manifestation of depression. This can include headaches, back pain, muscle aches and stomach problems. These symptoms make it easy to overlook the emotional roots of their distress as the physical ailments become a focal point for treatment.
- Risky behaviors: Reckless driving, unsafe sex and excessive alcohol and drug use can also signify depression in men. These behaviors may be a misguided attempt to deal with feelings of emptiness or hopelessness.
- Difficulty expressing emotions: Many men struggle to be vulnerable due to toxic masculinity. As a result, they may withdraw socially or try to mask their feelings by staying excessively busy.
- Fatigue and sleep disturbances: Persistent physical exhaustion – not linked to physical exertion – and sleeping too much or too little are common depressive symptoms men may experience.
Challenges in Seeking Help
There is a significant stigma associated with mental health issues, preventing men from acknowledging their struggles and getting the necessary treatment due to fear of appearing weak or unmanly. Additionally, men are less likely to recognize their symptoms as depression, often believing they must manage their problems on their own.
At PACE Recovery Center, we understand the unique challenges men face with depression. We’ve created a program that addresses men’s mental health in a judgment-free environment.
- Gender-specific: Because we only serve men, you can feel more comfortable discussing and expressing complicated emotions in a safe space.
- Integrated treatment plans: We address depressions’ emotional and physical symptoms, providing a holistic approach to recovery that includes therapy, medical treatment and lifestyle adjustments.
- Education and advocacy: Part of our mission is to educate men about mental health and equip them with strategies to manage their symptoms effectively. We also work to reduce the stigma around men’s mental health.
Recovery Within Your Reach
PACE Recovery helps men overcome depression with customized interventions that respect their unique experiences and challenges. A staff of master’s- and doctoral-level clinicians, psychiatrists and clinical psychologists administers our internationally recognized mental health treatments with evidence-based methods like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Other features include accurate assessment, life skills training, family counseling and education, vocational and educational coaching, medication management and continuity of care.
Reach out to us today to learn about our men’s-only California mental health rehab.
