Signs of Depression in Men: Breaking the Stigma and Identifying Symptoms

Depression is a mental illness that affects 1 in 8 Australian men at some point in their lives. While it’s more common in women, men are less likely to reach out and seek the help they need while experiencing depression.

Sadly, there is still a lot of stigma around depression in men, which adds pressure to the situation and increases difficulty in talking about it.

Medmate is a team of telehealth professionals committed to removing this stigma and getting men with depression the treatment they need. Here are some key signs of depression in men and how we can help if you or a loved one is experiencing depression:

Stigma around depression and men

Outdated social norms may contribute to a false understanding of what it means to be ‘manly’. For some men, this may include not talking about your feelings, or not showing that you’re upset because it’s perceived as a sign of ‘weakness’. While this of course is untrue, it’s still a mindset that affects many men today. This can make it hard for men to acknowledge that they’re dealing with a mental illness like depression.

Symptoms of depression in men

While everyone experiences depression differently, there are some common signs of depression in men to watch out for. These include:

Irritability, anger and low mood

Depression can look like sadness or hopelessness, but it can also include sudden outbursts of anger, feelings of guilt, lack of interest or confidence, and recurring negative thoughts. Irritability and anger is commonly exhibited in men with depression.

Change in behaviour

Depression alters the ‘normal’ behaviour of both men and women. This includes a lack of desire to take part in hobbies and activities one normally enjoys, being less productive at work or study, and staying at home rather than socialising with friends. It may also result in more alcohol consumption and losing interest in sex.

Physical symptoms

Men and women can experience physical symptoms during depression. These include difficulty sleeping and/or tiredness and lethargy throughout the day, feeling run down or sick, and an increase or decrease of appetite, with or without weight gain. It can also cause physical symptoms such as nausea, headaches and muscle pain (like back and neck pain).

How to get mental health care with Medmate

Recognising signs of depression in men can help you or a loved one get the right treatment as soon as possible. Medmate is a great place to start. We are a caring team for mental wellbeing by telehealth, helping Aussie men get treated for depression. Empathetic and professional healthcare is what we specialise in, providing access to expert doctors and online psychologists from the comfort of your home. Book a consult with Medmate today and start feeling your usual self, sooner.