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SYMPTOMS of Depression
Common symptoms of depression include
an inability to feel or feeling emotionally
flat. A depressed person can also have
difficulty putting thoughts together and
experience poor concentration. One’s
thinking pattern can include a negative view
of self, overwhelming guilt, hopelessness,
and thoughts of suicide. Symptoms can also
include low motivation and a diminished
interest in pleasurable activities, including
sex. The lack of motivation may be apparent
in a person’s diminished interest in work
or educational activities as well, and with-
drawal from activities involving others is
common.
Physically, a person with depression may
experience weight loss or weight gain—
appetite may decrease or increase as the
person compensates by turning to food for
comfort. A depressed person may also expe-
rience challenges with sleeping too much
or not sleeping adequately. Crying spells
without a known reason also occur. Those
who are depressed may also experience
restlessness or low energy, making normal
everyday task—such as dressing, reading,
walking, and talking—difficult to complete.
Men often show more irritability and anger
than women when depressed and have a
greater tendency to turn to drugs or abuse
alcohol. Men may also focus more on work
to avoid addressing their symptoms with
family or friends.
CAUSES of Depression
So what causes depression? A combination
of genetic, biological, psychological and
environmental factors can contribute
to the onset of depression. People with
a family history of depression are more
likely to develop the illness than those
without a family history. Also, an imbalance
of hormones that regulate moods and
emotions such as serotonin and dopamine,
can impact brain chemistry.
Residual, situational, chronic, and antici-
patory stress can also trigger depression.
Residual stress—when a person continues
to be affected by a past traumatic event—
may include past abuse, violence, a severe
accident or significant loss. Situational
stressors like poor weather conditions,
traffic jams, or a challenging work day, can
also have a negative impact on a person’s
wellbeing as they threaten the person’s
sense of peace or level of control. Chronic
stressors are persistent challenges or threats
which can include a volatile relationship,
illness, longstanding financial challenges,
demanding work obligations, or threatening
environmental conditions. Anticipatory
stress involves concerns over future events,
such as a potential job loss, upcoming fore-
closure, or the end of a relationship.
Racism, while more covert today, can also
have a significant impact on men, particu-
larly on African-American men, who have
historically been marginalized in U.S.
society and experience high rates of unem-
ployment in many parts of the country. In
Standing in the Shadows
, John Head, who
has been a journalist at some of the nation’s
most respected newspapers, writes:
The ultimate goal of any treatment
is to counter the negativity the
depressed person sees in those
two images. Racism is about rein-
forcing our negative self-image
and the negative light in which we
believe others see us. The presence
of racism in our culture and our
social atmosphere increases the
effect of depression on African-
American men exponentially.
Stress does not only contribute to the onset
of depression in men, but it can also lead
to other health problems, including high
blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and
diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. As
a result, these illnesses are prominent health
concerns among African-American men.
TREATMENT for Depression
The good news is depression can be treated.
The impact of stress can also be lessened
through similar strategies, including
medical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral,
social, and spiritual interventions. A good
first step is to visit a medical doctor or
mental health professional. A medical
checkup will help determine if biological
factors are involved as other illnesses can
impact a person’s mental and emotional
state. A doctor can also help determine if
antidepressant medication is needed.
Seeking counseling or psychotherapy
through a professional counselor, psychol-
ogist, or other mental health professional
has also been helpful to many. Various forms
CAUSES
SYMTOMS MEN
IN
TREATMENT