Signs of Depression in Men

Depression often wears a different mask in men. While it can affect both men and women, the way it manifests can differ greatly between genders. These differences stem from biological factors and societal expectations, often shaping how men express or suppress their emotions. 

From anger and irritability to substance abuse and withdrawal, the signs can be subtle, confusing, and easily overlooked. In this article, we’ll explore the key signs of depression in men, why these signs may be ignored, and provide practical steps for seeking help.

Common Signs of Depression in Men

Below are some of the most common signs of depression in men. While some overlap with general symptoms of depression, others are more specific to how men tend to experience and express the condition.

Irritability and Anger

Sadness is the expected hallmark of depression, but men may manifest their depression through irritability, frustration, or anger. This anger can be directed at themselves or others and may seem disproportionate to the situation. For men, societal pressures to suppress emotions often result in anger being a more socially acceptable outlet for their feelings of depression.

Withdrawing from Friends and Family

Instead of reaching out for support, men may pull away from friends, family, and colleagues. They may avoid social gatherings, cancel plans, or stop communicating altogether, leaving loved ones feeling disconnected.

Loss of Interest in Activities They Once Enjoyed

Men once passionate about their hobbies, sports, or other interests may need more drive to engage in these activities. Depression can drain motivation, making it hard to find pleasure in things they once enjoyed. This symptom can also extend to work, relationships, and other important aspects of life.

Fatigue and Low Energy

Men with depression often report persistent tiredness or a lack of energy, even after sufficient rest. This fatigue can overwhelm daily tasks, further contributing to their emotional distress.

Physical Symptoms

Men often experience physical symptoms related to their depression. These symptoms can include headaches, digestive issues, or chronic pain, all of which may occur without a clear medical explanation.

Risky Behavior

Men with depression may engage in reckless behaviors as a way of coping with their emotional pain. This could include substance abuse, gambling, or risky driving. While using substances like alcohol and illegal drugs is a common coping strategy for people with mental illness, men are significantly more likely to consume them when depressed.

Substances and other risky behavior may provide temporary relief and distract from their internal emotions. Unfortunately, these coping mechanisms can lead to further complications in their personal and professional lives and run-ins with the law.

Difficulty Concentrating

Depression can also interfere with cognitive functions, making it difficult for men to concentrate, make decisions, or remember details. This difficulty focusing can affect their performance at work or everyday activities, leading to frustration and a worse mental state.

Changes in Sleep Patterns

Some men may struggle with insomnia, finding it difficult to fall or stay asleep. Others may experience hypersomnia, sleeping excessively but still feeling fatigued. These sleep disruptions further impact their overall well-being, exacerbating their depression.

Why Depression in Men Often Goes Unnoticed

Several factors contribute to why depression in men often goes unnoticed, including societal expectations, stigma, and traditional masculine norms. Society frequently expects men to embody strength, stoicism, and self-reliance, making vulnerability and emotional openness seem incompatible with masculinity. As a result, many men feel they must endure their struggles in silence, even when their mental health starts to decline.

This pressure can make it difficult for men to express sadness or despair. Over time, many internalize these expectations, feeling ashamed or weak for experiencing mental health issues, which further discourages them from seeking help.

The National Mental Institute for Mental Health recognizes that men are less likely to identify, talk about, and seek help for mental illness symptoms. This situation makes them more vulnerable to depression and increases the chances that their depression goes unnoticed and undiagnosed.

Cultural factors also play a significant role. In some communities, discussing mental health is considered taboo, and men may face judgment or rejection if they admit to struggling. Additionally, distrust of the healthcare system within impoverished groups can make it even harder for men in these populations to access mental health services.

Together, these factors create a dangerous cycle in which men suffer from depression in silence.

How to Encourage Men to Seek Help for Depression

For the reasons above, encouraging men to seek help for depression can feel like an uphill battle, but it is possible. Consider these strategies if you or a man in your life is struggling with depression.

Promote Multiple Ways to Be a Man

Traditional ideals of manhood often deter men from opening up about their struggles, but shifting these norms can pave the way for healthier conversations about mental health. 

Promoting a broader, more inclusive definition of masculinity can make a significant difference in encouraging men to seek help for depression. However, don’t accuse anyone of being a man in the “wrong” way. Just be open to expressing other ways of being a man beyond the values they’ve always been told.

Have Open Conversations

Encourage open, non-judgmental conversations to support men experiencing depression. Creating a safe space where men feel comfortable discussing their emotions is key. Instead of pressuring them to talk, ask open-ended questions and listen without judgment. It’s important to let them know that discussing their feelings is acceptable and necessary for their well-being.

Offer Support

Sometimes, men struggling with depression may feel isolated or unsure of how to seek help. Offering your support can make a world of difference. This might mean helping them research professional resources, such as therapists or mental health counselors, or simply being there to talk when needed. For some, having a trusted person attend therapy sessions with them, at least initially, can ease the fear or discomfort of seeking help.

Break Down Stigma

The stigma around mental health, particularly for men, remains a major obstacle to seeking help, and breaking it down is essential. Remind them that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. However, please don’t assume that they feel weak for having depression, either. Focus on exploring how they are handling the issue. If possible, reframe therapy, counseling, or seeking support as an act of strength, resilience, and self-improvement instead of a sign of weakness.

Suggest Professional Support

While friends and family play an important role, professional treatment is crucial in addressing depression effectively. Encourage men to explore therapy or counseling with trained mental health professionals.

Highlight the benefits of professional support, such as gaining new coping strategies, better understanding their emotions, and improving their quality of life. Let them know that mental health counselors can offer the guidance they need without judgment.

Seek Support for Depression as a Man

Men face unique challenges when experiencing depression. Most men grow up being told that they should be stoic and not show their emotions, which can easily lead to an inability to spot signs of depression and an unwillingness to seek help even if they identify it.

If you are a man and have signs of depression or know of a man who experiences it, we encourage you to seek help from your close circle and professionals. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) have all been proven highly effective in treating an array of mental health disorders, including depression.

If you’re interested in seeking help, contact us or call us at (888) 242-5716 to learn about our approaches to depression for men and how they can help support your recovery.