In the USA depression strikes more than 11 million of people every year. A majority of the 80% of people who look for therapy or medication are females. Males account for 1 in 10 diagnosed cases. Official statistics show that around 6 million of American men experience depression.
Male depression can be extremely perilous and devastating. According to unpublished CDC report, males in the US are four times more prone to commiting suicide than females.
And despite the fact more females attempt suicide, males are much more successful at ending their lives. They rather do not take an overdose, like females do, but they choose more lethal methods, such as a gun.
Most experts claim that the reason of the high suicide rate in males results from the fact that depression in most men is usually undiagnosed. Men regard it as a ‘women’s disease’ and associate it with PMS or hormonal changes. Another reason is that men are brought up to think that expressing emotions, feelings and sentiment is attributed to women. According to doctors, the biggest difficulty to overcome for curing depression in men, is the taboo and social stigma attached with the problem.
Men are raised to control and hide their feelings, so they are less prone to show indications of depression like sadness, crying, lack of will or suicidal tendencies. As a result, men suffering from depression show more physical indications of the diseases, such as fatigue, rather than emotional.
The stereotype of depression as a female disorder stops many men from looking for appropriate treatment. Depression is a struggle that lasts for a lifetime, however, with adequate treatment more than 80% sufferers, both males and females, can be effectively treated and the standard of their lives can be improved.
