Depression in young men

Depression affects both genders, but the symptoms and signs of this disorder may be very different in men and women. Clinical depression is the term used to describe unusual sadness and mood which doesn’t seem to go away. Many people also reported lack of energy, constant tiredness, anxiety, loneliness, loss of interests and enjoyment in any activities. Depression may also provoke physical symptoms, like stomach aches, headaches, inability to sleep and weight loss or weight gain. A person suffering from several of mentioned symptoms for two weeks or longer than that is very likely to be clinically depressed.

According to the statistics, about 25% of people suffer from depression before their 24th birthday. Most of these people never ask for any help, not knowing enough about depression and worrying about their friend’s reaction and stigmatization.

Male Symptoms of Depression

Young men don’t feel like crying without reason, when faced with depression, as women do. Most men are more likely to start abusing drugs of alcohol. Although these can be signs of depression, sometimes they remain unrecognized, since this type of behavior is considered as quite normal in young men. Lack of interests and motivation, exhaustion and annoyance are also very common symptoms of depression in men, as well as aggression and frustration. Additional symptoms of depression in young men may include: problems with concentration and sleeping, fatigue, loss of sexual interest, feeling of inadequacy, headaches and also suicidal thoughts. Alcohol and drug abuse may mask other symptoms of depression and worsen them in the long run.

Causes of Depression

There are several possible explanations what can cause depression. Certain people have depression in the family, while other react with clinical depression to situations such as death of a close one, bad break-up, conflicts in the school or in the family or sexual abuse. Lack of certain chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters) may be yet another cause of this disorder. Pregnancy or childbirth may also provoke depression in some women, while some cases of depression have no obvious reason.

Depression Treatments

Doctors may use different medications to treat depression. The most commonly used groups of drugs for this purpose are: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (also known as TCAs). These medications are used for different groups of people suffering from depression, not just for young men. However, young male adults may experience specific adverse effects associated with the use of antidepressant drugs, such as suicidal ideas and tendencies. These side effects must be closely watched and young men should report any suicidal thoughts to their doctor instantly.

Another possible treatment for depressive young men may be cognitive behavioral therapy.

People suffering from depression should eat healthy, engage in some physical exercise and learn how to relax properly in order to positively affect their medical problem.