This incurable disease likes to hide in men

Depression is often seen as a feminine disease, but in reality, many men suffer from depression. In recent years, more and more doctors have found that some male depression patients do not show "sheep-like" withdrawal symptoms like female patients, but "jackal-like" ones.

Although the National Institutes of Health in the United States points out that the number of female depression patients is about twice that of male patients, many psychiatric experts have analyzed that perhaps there are indeed more female patients than male patients, but it may also be that men are unwilling to admit it or come forward for help, resulting in a smaller number on the surface.

Lear, a therapist who has studied depression in men for many years, said at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association that nearly 70% of male depression patients are not diagnosed. Men tend to cover up their depression with other behaviors. Lear calls it "hidden depression."

Especially for men living in Chinese cities, who attach great importance to face and regard psychiatry as a symbol of weakness and shame, there may be quite a few men suffering from latent depression.

Atypical symptoms of depression The biggest difference between male depression and female depression is that men are very easy to get angry and often use alcohol and drug abuse to cover up their depression. In addition to irritability, alcoholism, and drug addiction, some people may be workaholics, go crazy at the slightest stimulation, smash things, gamble, and act impulsively.

Such as driving fast. On the surface, these symptoms appear to be expressions of masculinity, but in fact they deceive oneself, family members or doctors. What's worse, many domestic violence problems are also related to depression, and potential patients are hidden in every corner of society.

Symptoms of depression in men are not obvious

Mr. Wang, who is in his 30s and works in art design, suffered a traumatic emotional injury more than three years ago and was severely depressed. He worked silently alone, working more than 12 hours a day, until one day when he woke up and looked in the mirror, he realized that he had no expression on his face.

He hadn't laughed for weeks, and he realized that trying to find an outlet for his emotions through work was futile. He finally sought help from a psychiatrist and took antidepressant drugs to stabilize his mood.

Women are more willing to talk to their good friends to relieve their depression, while even when men chat in groups, the topics are mostly related to work and national affairs. After accumulating for a long time, emotions pile up in the heart, which is like the "simmering pot effect".

Psychiatric experts point out that when emotions get too intense, you need to find an outlet to vent them, otherwise it will lead to physical and psychological diseases. Common physical diseases include peptic ulcers, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Psychological problems include depression, and severe cases may lead to violent tendencies and mental disorders. There was a man who was considered a good husband and a good father by others, and the happy fruit of the whole family.

For a while, his family noticed that he was no longer funny, talkative, and insomniac, and initially thought he had a bad cold and didn't take it seriously. Until one day when he drank alcohol and lost control of his emotions, he yelled that he was tired and wanted to die, banged his head against the wall, bit his tongue, and attempted suicide. He was rushed to the hospital by his family and admitted to the psychiatric ward.

After diagnosis, analysis and treatment, the doctor gradually found out the cause of his illness: he usually didn't complain about his sufferings, thinking that he was the head of the family and should hold up the sky. He didn't expect that he would be overwhelmed by money and debt disputes. The situation worsened day by day. He was helpless and dared not ask for help. He didn't want his family to worry, so he had to suppress it in his heart. He wanted to relieve it by drinking, but in the end, his depression erupted like a volcano.

Doctors believe that men are bound by traditional values, and are required to be strong and resolute, shoulder social and family responsibilities, have a high achievement orientation, and always want to play the role of protector. Not to mention finding someone to vomit, even if the body sends out warning signals, such as chest tightness, stomach pain, and insomnia, they turn a blind eye, for fear of being regarded as weak and cowardly, which would be embarrassing.

There are still many hypotheses in the medical community about the true cause of depression: imbalance of neurotransmitters, especially imbalance of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, incomplete development and degeneration of brain nerve cells, brain damage, premature activation of cell suicide mechanism, long-term medication, genetic inheritance, stress hormones, etc.

Although the real cause of depression is still not very clear, it is more common for men to have external setbacks, such as unemployment, financial setbacks, midlife crisis, empty nest period, poor retirement planning, sense of loss, and a strong personality. Men are generally ashamed to admit that they have this disease and will just endure it.

When depression becomes a way of life, over the years, the heart is filled with sadness and despair, and there is no way out. Suicide may become the only way out. According to statistics, more than 90% of suicide cases have mental illness, 70% of which have depression (especially severe depression), and 15% end their lives by suicide.

Detect men's depression symptoms promptly and relieve them promptly

1. Sleep and appetite are two major indicators of depression. Insomnia, weight loss, followed by decreased attention and thinking ability, irritability and instability, lack of energy for sports that he used to like, alcoholism, drug addiction, frequent daze, no idea what he is thinking about, sighing when you are not paying attention, and unhappy when you notice his family members watching him. These are all key points to observe.

2. Assist from the side. Usually, men are reluctant to go to the hospital at first. If the family members have time, they can accompany him to the hospital. Men are reluctant to describe their symptoms in detail. At most, they will explain insomnia or physical illness. The family members' description becomes very important and can get to the core of the treatment faster.

3. Start with improving insomnia. People are more likely to accept that they have insomnia problems. To persuade men to see a doctor, you might as well start with treating sleep disorders. At least he is willing to go to the hospital and get initial diagnosis and treatment.

4. Intimate relationships are the best treatment. "The intimate support of a partner and family is the best medicine for a depressed man," Harvard Medical School professor Pollack warned men, proving that masculinity does not require parachuting or rock climbing. Try to tell your confidant or relatives and friends about your worries to avoid being involved in a depression storm.