NeuroStar® TMS Therapy
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
(855) 940-4867
(855) 940-4867
Men and Depression: Signs, Symptoms, and What Makes It Unique
Laurence Lippsett
Medically reviewed on 11/16/2020 by
Dr. Kimberly Cress
Texas Regional Medical Director
Everyone's experience with depression is unique. But studies of men and depression reveal some general trends in how depression affects males and females differently. The causes of depression in men and women may be similar, but they may experience different symptoms and cope in differing ways. Men, their families, and their doctors may not immediately recognize the signs that they are depressed, so they may be less inclined to seek treatment.
For these reasons, they may be less likely to be diagnosed and treated for depression and continue to suffer needlessly. These factors may influence the reportedly higher incidence of depression among females (8.7 percent) compared to males (5.3 percent) in the United States population; it's possible that men are more often undiagnosed. According to a Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry study in 2013, nearly one-third of U.S. men (30.6 percent) experience depression in their lifetimes.
Similar Causes, Different Experiences
Are the causes of depression in men and women different? No. Both men and women can have underlying genetics and family histories that increase their susceptibility. Depression in men and women can be triggered by stress and/or grief from setbacks and losses in life, including illness, abuse, poverty, family conflicts, and losing loved ones or jobs. Older men who retire may experience a sudden loss of routine, power, and prestige that can diminish their self-esteem and cause depression. Remember that it's possible to develop depression without anything being "wrong" in a person's life. Depression causes many similar physical symptoms in men and women such as fatigue, sleep and eating problems, chronic pains, headaches, or digestive ailments. Both genders can also experience similar feelings of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness.
However, our culture puts a stigma on men being emotional. Unlike women, many men are socially conditioned to bottle up their negative feelings or those that are seen as feminine. As a consequence, depressed men can become irritable, frustrated, and angry. They often deal with depression by working compulsively or engaging in rash behaviors, such as drinking too much, taking drugs, gambling, smoking, having unsafe sex, and reckless driving. They may not acknowledge that the physical ailments they are suffering—backaches, headaches, sleep problems, digestion problems, or sexual dysfunction—may be rooted in depression. Men are also three times more likely to die by suicide than women are. The way men experience depression masks it from themselves, their family, and their friends. Sometimes, even medical professionals overlook depression symptoms in men. Even if men recognize and acknowledge that they are depressed, the unfortunate stigma that depression is somehow "unmanly" can deter men from seeking treatment.
A Range of Treatment Options
Why let depression diminish the quality of your life? Various therapies, such as talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, have brought relief to many men and helped them overcome depression and lead more fulfilling lives. Many people's symptoms are relieved by medications that adjust brain chemistry and functioning. Another option you may not have heard about is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This non-invasive, non-drug treatment uses magnetic pulses to improve brain signaling that regulates your mood. If you've already tried multiple therapies with disappointing results, TMS therapy may be right for you. As studies on men and depression have shown, they experience the same underlying condition as anyone else, but it can manifest differently. Learning what depression can look like in men, and acknowledging what you may be experiencing, is the first step to feeling yourself again.
Let's see if we might be a good fit
Take our short quiz to see if TMS therapy or nasal esketamine could be right for you
Share this post
We're Better Together
Subscribe for mental health, self-care, and TMS therapy and nasal esketamine updates for those affected by treatment-resistant depression or OCD.
Contact Us
By providing your email address, you are consenting to receive blog updates from Greenbrook TMS Inc. You may unsubscribe from these alerts at any time by following the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of email alerts. At Greenbrook TMS Inc. we take the privacy and security of your personal information seriously. To learn more about how we protect your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
You might also like
A recent study compared the effects of TMS therapy and Antidepressants. TMS therapy provided more relief from patients depressive symptoms compared to Antidepressants.
You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
Greenbrook supports an accessible internet. If you have any questions about our accessibility features, please contact us at
(855) 940-4867 or info@greenbrooktms.com.
