Depressed Men

Depression is twice as common in women as in men, but men do get the blues. However, they sometimes don’t realize it … or won’t admit it.

Marty almost joined the ranks of hundreds who commit suicide when they get depressed. “It got to the point one time where I actually loaded the weapon and thought about it,” says Marty. “I didn’t think I could live in a normal manner ever again.”

The 33-year-old Navy veteran was clinically depressed, and like most men, his ego got in the way of getting help.

“Especially in depression, it is the macho thing to say, ‘I’ll walk out of this on my own, and I’m not going to get someone to help me,'” says the Psychiatrist. He worked with Marty to bring him out of his depression.

Depression affects one in 20 men, compared to one in 10 women. Men are less likely to seek help or they figure the sad feeling will just go away.

Depression is a disorder, and just as you cannot get out of pneumonia on your own, it is very difficult to get out of depression on your own.

Marty got help for his depression, and he says he’s a better man for it. “I just feel good, and I have hope for the future — because there will be one now,” says Marty.

“I would never give up because there are multiple treatments. There are more than 25 anti-depressant medications available. If one doesn’t work, there’s a very good chance the next one or the third one will work.”

Symptoms of depression include loss of interest, helplessness, hopelessness, crying spells, feelings of worthlessness, and appetite and sleep changes. Treatments include Prozac and, some doctors say, the natural herbal remedy St. John’s Wort.