What does depression look like in a man?

Both men and women experience depression, yet their symptoms can differ in noticeable ways. Because men may show anger or aggression, depression signs are often misinterpreted by others. Additionally, families, friends, and even healthcare professionals sometimes overlook these behaviours as potential depression symptoms. Furthermore, men are generally less likely to openly acknowledge or discuss their struggles with depression. Ultimately, men also tend to avoid seeking professional treatment, increasing risks of worsening mental health.

Understanding Depression & Its Impact on Men’s Daily Lives

Everyone experiences sadness or irritability occasionally, but such feelings usually fade within a few days naturally. However, depression is a serious mood disorder that can cause persistent and severe symptoms impacting daily functioning. Additionally, depression affects thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, making it difficult for individuals to manage normal responsibilities effectively. Ultimately, diagnosis of major depressive disorder requires symptoms persisting for at least two continuous weeks in men.

How Depression Symptoms Differ Between Men & Women

Both men and women experience depression, yet their openness to discuss feelings often differs significantly in practice. Consequently, this difference in willingness influences how symptoms of depression manifest uniquely across genders in various ways. Additionally, men may hide emotional struggles, displaying anger or irritability rather than sadness or despair openly. Ultimately, recognising these gender-based differences allows for more accurate diagnoses and effective support strategies for depression.

Emotional Distress in Men & Its Overlap with Physical Symptoms

For example, men with depression may hide emotions and instead display anger, irritability, or aggression. Additionally, they might feel extremely fatigued, losing motivation and interest in work, family, or personal hobbies. Furthermore, men with depression often struggle with sleeping difficulties more commonly than women experiencing similar challenges. Sometimes, mental health struggles manifest as physical problems, leading to confusing or misleading signs and symptoms. For example, ongoing headaches, chest tightness, racing heart, or digestive issues can reflect underlying psychological distress. Consequently, many men consult doctors for physical symptoms more readily than acknowledging emotional or mental struggles.

Emotional Distress & Risky Coping Behaviours in Men

Some men often use drugs or alcohol as coping mechanisms for overwhelming emotional symptoms. Additionally, reliance on substances can worsen depression and create dangerous cycles of addiction over time. Furthermore, men experiencing depression may ignore healthier coping strategies, increasing risks of harm and emotional instability. Likewise, substance misuse in men often masks deeper psychological struggles that remain unaddressed without proper support. Importantly, women attempt suicide more frequently, yet men typically die by suicide at higher rates. Consequently, this occurs because men often select more lethal methods when attempting suicide compared to women. Ultimately, recognising these behavioural differences helps professionals design targeted interventions and prevention strategies supporting men experiencing emotional distress.

What Are the Signs of Emotional Distress & Depression in Men?

Different men have different symptoms, but some common depression symptoms include:

• Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
• Feeling anxious, restless, or “on the edge”
• Loss of interest in work, family, or once-pleasurable activities
• Problems with sexual desire and performance
• Feeling sad, “empty”, or hopeless
• Not being able to concentrate or remember details
• Feeling very tired, not being able to sleep, or sleeping too much
• Overeating or not wanting to eat at all
• Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
• Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
• Inability to meet the responsibilities of work, caring for family, or other important activities
• Engaging in high-risk activities
• A need for alcohol or drugs
• Withdrawing from family and friends or becoming isolated

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, recognising depression in men requires awareness of unique symptoms that may differ from women’s experiences. Additionally, understanding these differences allows families and professionals to provide more accurate and timely support. Consequently, raising awareness reduces stigma and encourages men to openly discuss emotional struggles without fear of judgement. Furthermore, promoting healthy coping strategies helps men replace harmful behaviours with constructive ways of managing depression. Importantly, early recognition and intervention significantly improve recovery outcomes and overall mental health for men experiencing depression.

Emotional Distress: Written by Vilhelmiina Välimäki

Vilhelmiina Välimäki is a Finnish psychologist, who moved to Malta 2018 and has been slowly but surely adjusting to the Maltese environment and culture. She works at Willingness as a Clinical Psychologist and she is specialised in offering support to individuals from different age groups, couples and families.  You can contact her on vilhelmiina@willingness.com.mt or 9944 9910.