Depression in Men | Men are from Mars
Flip? What does it meant to be flip? Supermodel and phone-throwing Naomi Campbell flipped in Culture Club’s “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya” video. (That was before the age of the flip phone.) Some people flip the bird, which I’m sure the Audobon society frowns upon. A flip jump in figure skating is not a backflip (something Scott Hamilton is know for) but an inside edge and toe pick jump. Remember Laura Linney’s hair flip at the Oscars that was a fashion sensation?
Some people have commented that at times I am too flip in my articles. But I have a flood of people who say they appreciate my non-threatening and fun style to introduce medical issues. I hear too often that doctors are so serious and unemotional like William Morris agents at a Madonna concert: stone cold.
As far as my being “flip” I think one problem is that some readers flip the page too fast and therefore don’t get the gist of the article. They think I’m a happy-go-lucky person without empathy. These folks don’t know I have clinical depression. Then why am I so upbeat? Because I have more treatment than Barbra Streisand and Woody Allen combined. So I understand what it means to flip out.
Depression plagues our society. 3-5% of American men are afflicted with major depression and millions more have minor depression or dysthymic disorder. It is thought that depression costs our country $83 billion a year due to mortality and functional disability.
It seems that depression campaigns focus on women (8-10% who have major depression) but not men. Perhaps it is because men see the doctor less than women do. Women are more likely to be honest about their feelings and symptoms than men are. I love John Wayne, but I think men are expected to “buck up” like him. “Depression? Bah, humbug!”
I was watching some videos by Academy Award winning film makers State of the Art (www.mengetdepression.com). and I was so happy to see men discuss the “taboo” of depression. In my own practice, a large percentage of men won’t take an antidepressant or see a therapist because “it isn’t that bad”. But it usually is that bad. Unfortunately, men with major depression are 4 times more likely to commit suicide than women, in particular older men who aren’t in a relationship. My former neighbor who seemed like a happy retired man committed suicide. It goes to show you how men can hide their feelings.
So what are the symptoms of major depression? If someone has 5 out of 9 of the following symptoms for at least 2 weeks for the majority of each day, it is major depression. There has to be at least depressed mood or anhedonia. Depressed mood can be a feeling of hopelessness, sadness, feeling down, or maybe feeling irritable. Anhedonia means there is a loss of interest or pleasure. Remember Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally? He just lay in his bed moaning about everything.
Depression can affect a person’s sleep so while tired all day, he can’t stay asleep at night (called early morning awakenings). Others become Yogi the bear and hibernate all day and night. Loss of energy is another symptom that turns a Ty Penington into a Droopy the dog. A decrease in psychomotor activity can result so movement is slow, and even speech. A change in appetite or weight can occur in either direction: eat too much or eat too little. I know when I’m down, creme brulee tastes like a stale Twinkee.
Poor concentration in depression can truly affect a person’s work. Low self-esteem and feelings of guilt can be present. Worst case scenario: prevalent thoughts of death and feelings of suicide.
Gentlemen! Sure we are bred to be breadwinners, strong, and self-sufficient. So take action if you have depression. Talk to your doctor and get help. Therapy and/or medications are very effective and can flip your world around to the sunny side of the street.
(c) Dr. John Hong, Inc
