Mental Health Awareness Week: How to spot the signs of male depression and address it
From a global pandemic to the cost of living crisis, it's been an incredibly tough few years so rising rates of depression perhaps aren't surprising as events take their toll on mental health.
Even those who, on the surface, have a seemingly "perfect" life aren't immune, but of course there's a difference between temporarily feeling a bit flat and suffering from clinical depression.
This week (15-21 May) marks Mental Health Awareness Week, which aims to shine a light on the importance of wellbeing, help tackle stigma, prevent people from suffering and improve the care that's out there.
Of course, the more people talking about mental health the better, particularly men who tend to be more reluctant to seek help. Male celebrities sharing their own struggles continue to play a key part in helping to lessen the stigma and encourage others to open up.
Most recently Paddy McGuinness discussed how symptoms of his clinical depression were spotted by his ex-wife Christine.
The actor, comedian and TV presenter, 49, said he "wasn't aware" that what he was experiencing – including losing his temper – were signs of the mental health condition.
"In my experience, with something like depression – I was diagnosed as clinically depressed and I wasn't aware of it," he said on the Monday Mile podcast.
"You can be as low as low can be and it's the people around you that tell you."
Mike Tindall also recently discussed his own mental health battles and experiences of baby loss, urging men to talk about their feelings in order to "normalise" it, while his royal relative James Middleton shared how his pet dog helped him to overcome depression.
The 35-year-old entrepreneur, who is the younger brother of Kate, Princess of Wales, appeared on This Morning in a discussion about how pets can help their owners with mental health struggles in some cases.
Read more: The most common mental health conditions - and where to get help
Anton Ferdinand also described the depression and insomnia he experienced while grieving the loss of his mother and encouraged others to talk about how they are feeling to prevent worse-case scenario outcomes.
World Snooker Champion Mark Selby used social media to explain that he was seeking professional help for depression, while Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios admitted feeling so low that he had not only self-harmed but had also considered taking his own life.
“I was having suicidal thoughts and was literally struggling to get out of bed, let alone play in front of millions,” he said on Instagram.
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From Eminem to Jim Carrey, Stephen Fry to Jon Hamm, there is no shortage of stars who have openly struggled with depression and while their elevated status might ensure they have easy access to the best professional help, it’s not always so easy for the average person.
What can make things harder is that often, while this is changing, men are still less likely than women to talk about how they feel, perhaps for fear of seeming "weak", as Simon Brittz, counselling psychologist at Roodlane Medical, part of HCA Healthcare UK, explains.
“While women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, male depression often goes undiagnosed due to a failure to recognise, or reluctance to acknowledge, the symptoms,” he says.
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Depression causes
Depression can arise from any number of sources. From grief or redundancy, to the breakdown of a relationship, it can be sparked by life events or it can even run in the family.
It affects men of all ages and while its prevalence is high in those in their 20s and 30s, it’s increasingly common among men in their 40s and 50s.
“In my experience, depression is now highly prevalent in the 50-60 age range too,” says Brittz.
Men are also far more likely than women to become dependent on alcohol and take drugs regularly, according to the Mental Health Foundation, which can often be forms of "self-medication" for those struggling with mental health issues.
Men also report lower levels of life satisfaction than women, according to the government's national wellbeing survey.
Read more: Talking mental health: What to say when someone's struggling, according to experts
Watch: Tom Holland is prioritising his mental health
Depression symptoms
Physically, you may have noticed a change in your weight, disturbed sleep patterns or excessive tiredness and a low sex drive while psychologically, as well as your persistent low mood, you might be finding it difficult to enjoy anything, experience a lack of motivation as well as feelings of guilt, despondency and, in some cases, even thoughts of suicide.
A recent Samaritans Suicide Statistics report revealed that men in the UK are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, with those aged between 45 and 49 nearly four times more likely to, than women of the same age, so it's vital to seek help early on.
You might also notice cognitive issues emerging too. Perhaps your performance at work is suffering or you consciously begin to avoid social events.
You may also start making poor decisions. “Men suffering from depression also tend to engage in more self-destructive behaviours, like drug and alcohol abuse, or risky behaviour like reckless driving,” adds Brittz.
If you’re concerned that you might be experiencing depression, it’s useful to ask yourself just how long you have been feeling the way you do. If it’s just a day or two then it’s probably just a temporary change in your mood but if it lasts weeks or months, then it's important to explore your symptoms so you can get the right support.
Read more: How to spot anxiety in your child – and how to help them
Depression treatments
Often, GPs will prescribe antidepressants to treat clinical depression and while there is no one-size-fits-all treatment, these can be useful in helping those experiencing moderate to severe depression.
The most common are serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Fluoxetine (under the brand name ‘Prozac’), Citalopram and Sertraline and they work by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, which helps to improve your mood.
But they’re not an instant fix. Typically, it might take between two weeks and a month for the benefits of SSRIs to really kick in and you might well be taking them for anything between six and nine months before being carefully weaned off them with the help of a medical professional.
This may also be combined with talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), both proven to help improve the way you feel.
Interestingly, men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women, according to the Mental Health Foundation – only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men.
“From my experience working with men suffering from depression, I recommend finding a therapist who is direct and goal-oriented,” says Brittz.
“Setting out clear, realistic goals can help people manage their negative feelings and work to change those behaviour patterns associated with depression.” Remember that many therapists will offer free initial consultations, which can be a great opportunity to get a feel for whether their approach might work for you, or there are free organisations like the Samaritans who are always there ready to listen.
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Exercise, too, can be one of the most effective ways of managing depression. In fact, Brittz insists on it. “My non-negotiable for everyone I treat – men and women – is encouraging physical activity,” he says.
“Regular exercise is a wonderful tool to boost your mood and ease the symptoms of depression. It is important to find an activity you enjoy, whether that's running a 5km, joining a five-a-side team or starting kickboxing classes – this will help you stay motivated to exercise on a regular basis.”
Whichever treatment you pursue, there’s no denying that fighting depression is challenging – even with the help of a professional – but tackling it on your own is much, much harder, as Kyrgios explained.
“I know that day-to-day life can seem extremely exhausting, impossible at times. I understand that you feel if you open up it may make you feel weak, or scared,” he said. “I’m telling you right now, it’s OK, you are not alone.”
Brittz wholeheartedly agrees. “I would really encourage men who feel that they might be depressed to reach out and speak to their GP or to contact the NHS,” he advises. “The worse depression becomes, the harder it can be to conquer.”
Read more: The most common mental health conditions - and where to get help
But with the right treatment and support, you can get your life back on track and find happiness again.
For support, you can contact Mind's 'infoline' on 0300 123 3393 (open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday except for bank holidays) or Samaritan's helpline on 116 123 (any time, day or night).
You can also search for free psychological therapies service (IAPT) on the NHS website.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) offers a helpline on 0800 585858 and livechat is open from 5pm to midnight every day. 365 days a year
