Men, too, are prone to depression

By Wendy Walsdorf

No one is immune to depression. Factors such as gender, socioeconomic status and ethnicity have little bearing on whether or not one will suffer from depression in his or her lifetime.

There are, however, significant gender differences in reporting rates of depression. Men are more reluctant to seek help than women, resulting in males being more difficult to diagnose and treat. According to statistics, 6 million American men will be diagnosed with depression this year. Countless others feel stigmatized by depression and tend to see it as a woman's disease. It is for this reason that men are diagnosed at approximately half the rate of their female counterparts.

Our society demands a lot of our men. Typically, a successful man in this society is one who is in charge and in control of his emotions. There is an expectation that men need to be strong in the face of adversity. Phrases such as "be a man" send a message that men grow up internalizing.

Some men have been raised in homes where they were taught to be stoic and not show their vulnerability. Men tend to deny having emotional problems and would rather express physical symptoms such as fatigue. Feeling tired is more socially acceptable to a man than feeling "blue." Men may rely on activities that "numb" their feelings, such as excessive use of drugs or alcohol.

It is not uncommon for men to distract themselves from feelings rather than express their emotions to family and friends, thereby risking shame and embarrassment. It's useful to know some common indicators of male depression, which may differ from criteria often used in diagnosis.

These include irritability; desire for material goods; angry outbursts; restless sleep patterns; workaholism; increased use of alcohol, drugs or watching television; social withdrawal; hostility; agitation; and restlessness.

Depression is treatable.

Walsdorf is a counselor at the UCLA Staff and Faculty Counseling Center. If you or a family member appear to be suffering from depression, the Staff and Faculty Counseling Center is here to help. Call (310) 794-0245 for an appointment.