Depression is one of the top mental health epidemics in the world today. Depression is also complex and can affect men and women differently. Therefore, it is essential to understand the signs and symptoms when they occur and how to find appropriate treatment.
Symptoms of depression in men and women can interfere with their lives and take over. Such symptoms can include:
Usually, it's not just one but various symptoms for most people; although some may not have them all, and some may have different ones. Many variables add up to determine what someone's experience of depression is like.
Men and women both experience depression, but the manifestations can be very different. Women are two times as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, but that's generally because they demonstrate more standard symptoms.
Because men who are depressed can appear to be mad or aggressive instead of sad, their loved ones and even their doctors may not always recognize their depression. Men are also less likely than women to be transparent and share with others about their condition and seek treatment for it. It's most likely because of the different socialization of the two genders: Sharing feelings is considered acceptable for women but not for men. Yet depression affects a large number of men along with women.
Both men and women can experience depression, but often the symptoms differ and impact someone's life in various ways. Men struggle with varying symptoms, but some of the most typical depression symptoms include the following:
Not every male with depression will face every symptom. Some men may have just a few symptoms, while others have many.
Like men, when women experience depression, the symptoms will vary and impact some more than others. Some of the most typical symptoms of female depression include the following:
Certain types of depression apply to women only. The menstrual cycle, pregnancy, the postpartum period, perimenopause, and menopause are all related to serious physical and hormonal changes. As such, different strains of depression can happen at different points in a woman's life.
In addition to these female-only forms, depression, in general, is more prevalent in women. Depression is more than twice as common in young women than in men.
Women are not only more likely to report feelings of depression, but the triggers leading to it seem to differ as well. As men's depression symptoms are often seen through behavior, women have more internal symptoms that they may hide from others. Plus, hormonal changes in women can lead to depression as well. This is another risk factor for depression that may not be a factor in male depression.
With more societal factors and biological ones affecting a woman's likelihood of developing depression, it is clear that depression presents differently in men and women and for varying reasons.
Although depression differs in men and women, treatment for depression is often a combination of psychotherapy, talk therapy, and medication. Studies show that when it comes to the treatment of depression, gender doesn't make a significant change.
Both men and women with mild depression mainly will not seek treatment. Those with mild to moderate depression who seek treatment often do not use medication but instead therapy. In the cases that those with moderate depression seek medicated treatment, men are more likely to, but both men and women with moderate to severe depression find healing through medication and therapy.
Although depression does not always affect men and women the same way, treatment methods do not differ as much as one may think. Pathways Wellness Center professionals understand that depression treatment is effective through a mix of therapy and medication when used properly and under a physician's or psychiatrist's direction.
Men and women are socialized differently, but both genders suffer from depression. The symptoms can vary because of molecular differences in male and female brains. At Pathways Wellness Center, we understand that while the symptoms in men and women somewhat differ, depression can be crippling for both. It can take the joy out of activities, affect family and work relationships, stunt functionality in life, and have other devasting consequences. Because men are socialized to be less verbal with their feelings than women are, it can be especially difficult to determine if men have the condition, as it often comes off as anger. For more information on depression, how it can affect your loved ones, and treatment options, call (888) 771-0966.
