Depression often goes unrecognized and untreated in men because the most well-known symptoms are those typically displayed by women; signs of depression in men are often misdiagnosed as a "drug problem" or "temper problem."

lowspeed · 2009-07-31T21:32:03+00:00

Conversely, I have noticed that Borderline personaily primarily affects women. Not that there are no BP men out there, but all the BP support groups out there seem to be populated with just women. p.s. If a girl you like says she has BP, for the love of god -Flee. Flee as far and as fast as you can. Do not stop until the people around you no longer speak your language. I did not flee, and i am paying the price. everyday.

derek985 · 2009-07-31T18:29:27+00:00

This is the first time I've ever heard that anyone thinks depression is a medical condition that only effects women.

Gareth321 · 2009-08-01T04:18:54+00:00

I suffer/ed from severe depression since early childhood. Health professionals have been very good - very impartial and non-judgemental. It's society at large that seems to hold this stigma, or disparity between sexes. I've been told countless times to "suck it up" and "man up" by both men and women. Thankfully I deal with the problem internally, but if I ever needed to talk to someone about it, I'd be screwed. Even now, many of my friends see talking about emotions as somehow weak or inferior. I was asked repeatedly throughout the years if I had a drug problem [that was always the first question]. I must have looked really moody and emotional at times, and I'm sure it's not considered "proper" for boys or men to act that way.

So this could absolutely lead to some males having a hard time being diagnosed and dealing with depression. I've had contact with several who see even seeking help as un-manly.

As a side note, I found a radical alteration of my lifestyle keeps me balanced. The SSRIs are great as a temporary fix, but I don't think I'd want to stay on them for the rest of my life. I have to make sure I don't take on too much stress, and I have to keep a regular sleep routine. I also have to exercise at least every second day - cardio seems to work best for depression, but I've been following up with a weight regime and I look and feel better than I've ever. I also stay away from a lot of additives and processed foods and fats. I find taking omega 3 every day made a big difference to mood and memory, and the usual vitamins, antioxidants and probiotics. Long story short, I can't party all night and get trashed, then eat kebabs at 5 in the morning like my friends, but I'm happy, and that means a hell of a lot more to me.

akrabu · 2009-07-31T23:30:42+00:00

When a man has a mental disorder he's expected to suck it up and walk it off. I have a feeling most men are afraid to seek treatment and understanding for any sort of mental disorders.

I think it's not hard to fathom that many Western psycholigical disorders are cultural rather than real disorders. Take ADHD for example. Why are boys diagnosed with it more often than girls? Probably because when girls display this behavior it is culturally acceptable and as long as they are pretty no one cares. If a female has ADHD those traits won't affect her success in life the way they will affect a male. The same probably goes for depression in a sense. Men with depression are probably expected to act that way and it won't impact their life as much as it would a female. Imagine a female that couldn't be cheerful and happy. She wouldn't make it very far in life. But no one cares if a man is cheerful or not in the workplace.

montresor · 2009-08-01T01:04:35+00:00

Depression. What a bunch of BS. Just another excuse to give people a pill that still won't solve their problems. In fact, the pills don't lower suicide rate or have any impact on mortality; the trend is that patients that don't get anti-depressants have the lower suicide risk. So, why go to a pill pusher for treatment? You'd be better off getting a massage or going hunting. Or, perhaps defining your problem in a clearer formulation. If you get angry a lot, that is probably a problem and can be broken up into what makes you angry and why you respond that way. Through judicious application of cognitive theory, you might actually work out a solution. The women whose husband is cheating on her and 14 year-old daughter just got pregnant doesn't need a pill to block her feeling and actions, she needs to get righteous and take action.

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