Depression in Men: Beliefs, Causes, Symptoms,Treatments

Depression is a huge concern nowadays for both men and women, but depression in men tends to be more serious because men are less likely to admit they are depressed to themselves or others.

This health condition is very present in westernized societies and won’t get better by itself. Western cultures are still very male orientated, making men feel pressured to be strong, as a result they resist in expressing their feelings.

So, if you’re suffering from depression you cannot ignore it. Disregarding won’t help in any way, in fact it can worsen your health, both mental and physical. 

Depression is NOT caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, but it is rather a lifestyle and social issue. You will discover how depression can decrease by simply making a few lifestyle changes. 

In 2014-15, almost 9% of the Australians reported depression or feelings of depression, and among others health conditions such as heart disease and cancer, depression was the one that touched more Australians. It should make you think more carefully.

COMMON BELIEFS AMONG DEPRESSED MEN

• I have to keep it in.
• I mustn’t cry.
• Everyone depends on me.
• I mustn’t be weak.
• I have to be strong.

If you keep feeding these beliefs and don’t express your feelings, here is what happens. It’s a vicious cycle! 

WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION IN MEN?

Depression as caused by chemical imbalance in the brain is simply a theory, and it has been largely discredited. There’s a lot more to that.

 

Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of risk factors including environmental stress, genetic factors and others illnesses.

In today’s corporate environment, stress is indeed a big concern. Dealing with the financial problems, difficult negotiations, work problems, and many other stressful situations put men in constant tension which ultimately can lead to depression.

 

Another study concludes that the cause of depression is the lifestyle. According to Dr. Ilardi, the human genie hasn’t mutated. There is a deep mismatch between the genies that we carry, the bodies and the brains that we build and the world we live in.

We were never designed for the sedentary, indoor, social isolated, fast-food-laden, sleep-deprived, frenzied pace of modern life.– Dr. Ilardi

This is readily evident in FIFO workers. These employees, which are predominately male, work in remote areas and stay onsite for long periods, for example 2-3 weeks working every day and one week off to go home and stay with the family.

 

Depression is a big concern among FIFO employees which leads, in many cases, to suicide, attempt suicide and self-harm because there is a total disconnection between their hearts and their minds. Many others look to quite their minds with alcohol, drugs, food.

When you do what you love your mind is quiet, silent.

 

The levels of fatigue, isolation, anxiety, stress, and emotion from being apart from their families that characterise this lifestyle, are the main causes of depression in men. On top of that is still the stigma around mental health that inhibits employees seeking help inside or outside the company. 

4 MOST IMPORTANT PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS TO FULFIL 

• Connection – communication, feel connected, sense of belonging.
• Certainty – the need for safety, stability, security, comfort, order, predictability, consistency.
• Impact – making a difference, contribution.
• Significance – have meaning, sense of importance, worthy of love.

 Human beings are wired to be in groups, to live in communities, and not living isolated.

MALE DEPRESSION COMMON SYMPTOMS

HOW CAN DEPRESSION IN MEN BE TREATED?

After a diagnosis, depression is usually treated with medications that are thought to work by changing the levels of certain brain chemicals: dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, or norepinephrine – chemical imbalance in the brain theory.

BUT you have an option, you can choose other therapies, or a combination of the two. I’m an advocate of complementary and natural therapies, and I suggest you, at least, to do your own research to make a more informative decision.

 

Medication hasn’t shown, so far, evidences that they work. For example, the usage of anti-depressant increased over 300% in the last 20 years (2013). This per se is a relevant indicator in terms of its inefficiency plus the negative side effects in your heath.

 

Another issue that arises among depressed men is their belief about depression. Men are caught in the belief that: “There is no help for depression and if it exits there is no way out for me. I’m different.” AND “I don’t deserve help.” These are traps of your mind! Remember, your mind doesn’t like change. 

There is help and you deserve it.

You can start by incorporating these 6 steps into your daily routine, one step at a time, as suggested by Dr. Ilardi.

THERAPIES TO HELP DEPRESSED MEN

There are several types of psychotherapy, also known by talk therapy, that can help you treat depression. Some are just as effective as medications for certain types of depression.  The purpose is to teach you new ways of thinking and behaving, and changing habits that may be contributing to the depression.

Above all, when you choose a therapy keep in mind you don’t want to continuing myelinate your current neural pathway.

What does that mean? If you keep working on the old issue over and over again you’re reinforcing the problem making it more difficulty to solve. You don’t want that!

RTT  – Rapid Transformational Therapy – brings together the best of a set of therapies and can help you to reach rapid, and permanent results. RTT goes beyond your conscious mind to identify the real cause that is causing you to feel the way you feel. Once you understand it, you’re in a position to let it go and tell yourself a new and better story.

You become what you say to yourself. So, it’s better to say good things!

Normally, it takes between 1-3 sessions, depending how serious the problem is. The process includes you listen to an audio to start myelinate the new belief, the new habit.

You turn what once was familiar (habit, belief) into unfamiliar, because it’s not serving you anymore. The brain has the capacity to change according to the experience, and it can be “rewired” at anytime.

Enjoy a no obligation 15 minutes Discovering Session to ask your questions, to discuss your specific issue. Book here.

In meantime, you can start by immersing yourself  in a relaxing blend of essential oils to promote tranquillity.

Stay connected 

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Your Friend,

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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