Male Depression
Loss, Trauma and Grief
Most of the men in male depression may not exhibit the classical symptoms of male depression as directly as women do. Colleagues, friends and even family members may not recognize even any sign of depression. It might be a masked depression.
But one might observe a variety of typical behaviours, including:
- alcohol or drug abuse,
- delinquency,
- reckless behaviour,
- anger and
- somatic complaints.
There are some life events, such as losses, trauma and grief that may lead to masked depression or expressed male depression.
Loss
A recently bereaved man was more likely to be diagnosed with alcoholism than male depression, and more likely to develop a serious physical illness, commit suicide or die early when compared to a bereaved woman.
A man has difficulty to express his grief directly. He is prone to long-term mental and physical health problem because of the truncated grief process. Men are prone to diminish the significance of loss in order to gain a sense of control over life.
Traditional male cultural training has stressed emotional stability, control, and denial of weakness. This may be a beneficiary short-term strategy but poor long-term strategy.
Some data suggests that marriage may protect many men against male depression (and other mood disorders). A divorce may not only be personally shaming but often cuts the regular contact with children. Deprived of the opportunity fulfil important roles as father and husband, many man face a crisis of meaning and purpose during the later stages of his life (see midlife crisis).
Loss in all of its manifestations is the touchstone of depression -- in the progress of disease and, most likely, in its origin.William Styron
Trauma
Trauma comes from outside and causes a severe disturbance in mental and emotional condition. Masculinity is defined by one's ability to overcome tragic circumstances without complaining or assuming a victim stance. In other words, a masculine man will bear everything. Few men seem to reach adulthood without suffering subtle trauma. Inadequate attempts to be a hero is reflected in high rates of drug abuse, alcoholism, and other addictions.
Grief
Grief is defined as the physical and emotional state and the behaviours experiencing a permanent loss of a significant other. American heroes such as Clint Eastwood and Steven Segal are more likely to show a stiff upper lip following the death even the best friends.
Changes in life routines, the altered decision-making, add stress to a man already shocked by the death of his companion. For many men grief is extremely uncomfortable, especially for those who have adopted the traditional male gender role. They may sense impotence, frustration, and self-blame. Sadly, grief usually remains a hidden and unspoken experience.
The masking of depression may serve as a “face-saving” strategy for a man, who is less skilled at emotional expression and more bound to expectations of masculinity.
Return from Male Depression to Depression in Men
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